Greenberg: Finals Countdown: Kobe plays like an MVP; Celtics survive

Deadspin • Hawks Exit Stage Left [Curtain Opens On Lakers And Jazz]
The Atlanta Hawks gave their fans plenty to cheer about with three home wins against the Celtics, but they were finally finished off this afternoon. Boston continued their home dominance with 99-65 curb-stomping, although it could have been much ...

Slam Dunk Central • Bryant Scores 38, Lakers Hold Off Jazz 109-98
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, in Sunday’s game against the Utah Jazz, scored 38 points - which depending on your point of view about Bryant is either a big deal or old hat. But what’s impressive about the 38 points ...

InsideHoops.com's Basketball Blog • May 4: Lakers 109, Jazz 98
The AP reports: Kobe Bryant, celebrating what’s expected to be his first NBA MVP award, converted six of his franchise playoff-record 21 foul shots in the fourth quarter, and the Los Angeles Lakers held off the Utah Jazz 109-98 Sunday to begin the ...

Intentional Foul • NBA Playoffs: Beating Your Opponent Down
So what did we learn this weekend? The Hornets have no plans of making it easy on the Spurs. Yesterday, the Lakers just kind of skated by Utah, who was coming off their series clincher against Houston; a game played on Friday night. Utah is ...

West Coast Bias Sports Blog • Kobe living up to MVP billing
While the NBA still hasn’t officially announced the MVP voting as of this post, Kobe Bryant sure looked like the MVP with a 38-point, six-rebound, seven-assist performance in the Lakers’ 109-98 victory over the Utah Jazz in Game 1 of the Western ...

Kobe's Lakers just too good for Jazz to handle
Just look at the stats — the Lakers shouldn't have beaten the Jazz. But Kobe and Co. continue to find ways to win, Mark Kriegel says.

Bryant Scores 38 as Lakers Bounce Jazz from Game 1
Kobe Bryant had 38 points, six rebounds and seven assists Sunday, and the Lakers made it five straight playoff wins by beating the Utah Jazz 109-98 to begin the second round.

NBA Roundup: Kobe Bryant, Lakers tune out Jazz
Kobe Bryant made most of the shots that mattered, which he didn't view as any great accomplishment.That's because there was nary a hand in his face when he took them.

Lakers 109, Jazz 98: Utah’s Brawn Is No Match for Bryant
Despite losing the game, the Jazz sent the Lakers a message in the form of forearm shivers and sharpened elbows: this will not be easy.

Lakers' Kobe Bryant draws the line again and again
His franchise-playoff record 21 made free throws are what makes the difference in Sunday's Lakers' victory over the Utah Jazz. Coach Phil Jackson calls it the team's 'biggest scoring threat.' >  ...