Bryant's free throw shooting helps Lakers down Utah

Feb 27, 2007, 5:15 GMT

Salt Lake City, UT - Kobe Bryant scored 21 of his 35 points at the free throw line, lifting the Los Angeles Lakers over the Utah Jazz, 102-94, at EnergySolutions Arena.

Smush Parker added 24 points and Lamar Odom had 19 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists for the Lakers, who have won three straight, including two road games on consecutive nights.

Derek Fisher had 23 points and eight assists to lead Utah, which had a two- game win streak halted. Matt Harpring added 14 points and Carlos Boozer had 13 points and nine rebounds for the Jazz, who played without their starting point guard Deron Williams.

Williams is suffering from a right wrist and groin injuries and his absence was felt down the stretch.

With the game tied at 78, Parker put the Lakers ahead with a three-pointer near the six-minute mark. Then, leading 85-84, Los Angeles ran off nine straight points to take a 10-point lead. Odom scored four points during the surge, which Bryant ended with one of only seven of his field goals from the field for a 94-84 lead.

Utah later drew within 97-94 after Fisher connected on a three-pointer with 20.4 seconds left, but that was as close as the Jazz could get. LA hit all six free throws down the stretch and LA escaped with the win.

Andrei Kirilenko and Gordan Giricek each had 12 points for the Jazz, who trailed 25-20 after one quarter and 55-50 going into halftime. LA, though, scored just 15 third-quarter points and Utah went into the fourth tied at 70.

Game Notes

Bryant ended 21-of-24 at the line...LA shot 32-of-36 from the charity stripe for the game...Utah hit 18-of-26 free throws...LA has won two of the three meetings so far this season against Utah...The Jazz fell to 22-7 at home...LA improved to 13-16 at home.

© 2007 The Sports Network

Game Notes

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