Jazz 98, Lakers 109, Final - May 4, 2008

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 ...

Five Tool Tool - The Sports Blog That Loves You Back • Lakers-Jazz Game 1: Where Standing Around Happens
Today in Los Angeles, the Lakers took the early lead in a playoff series that, I am afraid, is going to be decided by the men in striped shirts. That's a series, by the way, that the Jazz can not win, and that won't be at all pretty to watch. No one ...

BASKETBALL NOTES BY ALEX • Lakers beat Jazz!
The LA Lakers beat the Utah Jazz 109-98 to take a 1-0 series lead. Utah was ready to get blown out in the first half, but played a nice second half. The reason this game got away from them was Kobe getting to the line. He made 21 free throws, ...

Sports Blog - football, basketball, and baseball • Utah Already Can’t Wait To Get Home
Utah Jazz 98, LA Lakers 109 : The Jazz have a very impressive home record, and they’ll need every game at home if they plan on beating the Lakers. The soon-t0-be-announced MVP Kobe Bryant had 38 points for the Lakers, 24 of which came in the ...

The Lakers Nation • TLN’s Playoff Report: Lakers vs. Jazz [Game 1]
The Lakers continued their great play with their fifth straight playoff victory. The Lakers beat the Jazz in game 1, 109-98, despite giving up 58 rebounds, including 25 offensive. The difference in the game turned out to be shooting as the ...

Slam Dunk Central • ESPN Brown And Tirico Recap The Lakers’ Win Over The Jazz In Game 1 Of The Western Conference Semifinals

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 ...

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 helps Lakers to first-quarter lead over Jazz
Bryant has 15 points to lead L.A. to a 25-24 lead. Gasol, with two fouls, returns to the court to start second quarter. > Center Pau Gasol returns to the ...

Bryant, Lakers turn down Jazz in opener 109-98
Kobe Bryant, celebrating what is expected to be his first NBA MVP award, had 38 points, six rebounds and seven assists Sunday, ...

Bryant's 38 get Lakers by Jazz in opener (AP)
Kobe Bryant, celebrating what is expected to be his first NBA MVP award, did just enough to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to another postseason victory. Bryant had 38 points, six rebounds and seven assists Sunday, and the Lakers made it five ...

Bryant Scores 38 as Lakers Beat Jazz
Kobe Bryant, celebrating what is expected to be his first NBA MVP award, scores 38 points to lead the Lakers to a 109-98 win over Utah.

Jazz make no excuses for losing to Lakers
That's the Utah way. No silver linings for dominating on the boards, no pats on the back for trying. Coach Jerry Sloan doesn't complain about Bryant's 23 free throws, either. >  ...

Greenberg: Finals Countdown: Kobe plays like an MVP; Celtics survive
Kobe Bryant and the Lakers bury the Jazz in a sea of free throws, while the Hawks fall (well) short of an improbable Game 7 upset of the Celtics.

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.

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.