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Lakers-Jazz 115-123 Game6 PO08[Bryant 34pts vs Williams 21p]

SALT LAKE CITY, May 16, 2008 (AP) - Kobe Bryant has some time to rest his back. Not that he appears to need it.Bryant scored 34 points, 12 in the fourth quarter, and Los Angeles held off a furious rally by the Utah Jazz for a 108-105 victory Friday night in Game 6, putting the Lakers in the Western Conference finals for the first time in four years.It was the only win by the visiting team in the series and kept the Lakers from having to host a Game 7 on Monday."It's a big step for us,'' said Bryant, who also had eight rebounds and six assists. "It shows a lot of character on our part to come in here and come out of here with a victory.''Utah trailed by 19 points at halftime and 16 after three quarters, but got within two in the final minute."We ran out of gas a little bit in the second half as they played with a frenzy and intensity,'' Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "I had confidence that we'd make the right plays at the end of the game.''The Lakers will host the winner of Monday's Game 7 between San Antonio and New Orleans when the Western Conference finals begin next week.Whether he needs it or not, Bryant has a few days off as the Lakers wait and see who they play in their first Western Conference finals since 2004.Bryant said his back was feeling fine, less than a week after it seized up on him early in Game 4 on Sunday when the Jazz tied the series at 2-2. Bryant was OK to play in Game 5 as the Lakers won at home, then on Friday was back to his MVP self.The Lakers are 8-2 in the playoffs."It's been a great journey and we want to keep it rolling,'' Bryant said. "It's a great accomplishment to get to the conference finals, but we believe we can accomplish much more.''Pau Gasol finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds and teamed up with Lamar Odom to shut down Utah in the lane for most of the first three quarters. Gasol had four blocks and Odom had another as the Lakers flustered the Jazz early and built a lead that was too big for the Jazz to overcome.Utah was 5-for-8 on 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and had a chance to tie it just before the buzzer, but Mehmet Okur and Deron Williams both missed from beyond the arc in the final seconds and Utah's season was over.Williams led Utah with 21 points and 14 assists. Carlos Boozer had 12 points and 14 rebounds, and Okur had 16 points and 10 boards, hitting two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter during Utah's comeback."The same thing that hurt us in L.A., hurt us again. We had to play from behind and we could never get over the hump,'' Williams said. "We gave them a little pressure in the second half and they got a little bit frantic. We should have been doing that the whole game.''Los Angeles stopped Utah's pick-and-roll and just about everything else the Jazz tried inside until the fourth. The Jazz started hurrying outside shots, which weren't going in and the rebounds seemed to always bounce Gasol's way. Nine of his 11 rebounds in the first half were defensive.Utah finally started hitting from the perimeter and getting inside the lane for points in the fourth, but Bryant kept the Lakers from blowing the lead. Bryant made all seven of his foul shots in the fourth and finished the game 9-for-19 from the floor.Odom finished with 13 points and made both his foul shots in the fourth quarter, after struggling from the line earlier in the series. The Lakers took 13 more free throws than the Jazz, getting sent to the line repeatedly as the Jazz tried to make up the deficit. They finished 31-for-38."They made it difficult for us from the start in stopping us from trying to do what we wanted to do,'' Utah coach Jerry Sloan said. "That's what experience can do. They got in our face a little bit and gave us trouble right from the start.''Reserve Paul Millsap added 15 points for Utah and led the Jazz on a 14-5 run early in the fourth quarter that set up the thrilling finish.Williams made a reverse layup to cut it to 91-80, then the Lakers turned it over again when Boozer stepped in front of Gasol to deflect a pass and start another break for Utah, which Millsap finished with another dunk to make it 91-82. It was the first time the lead was single digits since the Lakers led 20-12."I was excited all night and I felt if we could get a little run going I thought we'd get back into the game but we just couldn't get settled down until the end,'' Sloan said.After a timeout by the Lakers, Bryant was called for an offensive foul for an elbow to Matt Harpring. Harpring drew another foul on Bryant at the other end and made both free throws to get Utah within 93-86, but Bryant answered with a 3-pointer to put the Lakers back up by 10 and slow Utah's run.

Author: 1EDmanLV
Keywords: NBA Utah Jazz Los Angeles Lakers game play Williams Okur Bryant Gasol 3pt shot dunk moves crossover Playoffs 2008
Added: May 17, 2008

Kobe Bryant's 34pts,8reb MVP vs Jazz Game 6 Playoffs 2008

SALT LAKE CITY, May 16, 2008 (AP) - Kobe Bryant has some time to rest his back. Not that he appears to need it.Bryant scored 34 points, 12 in the fourth quarter, and Los Angeles held off a furious rally by the Utah Jazz for a 108-105 victory Friday night in Game 6, putting the Lakers in the Western Conference finals for the first time in four years.It was the only win by the visiting team in the series and kept the Lakers from having to host a Game 7 on Monday."It's a big step for us,'' said Bryant, who also had eight rebounds and six assists. "It shows a lot of character on our part to come in here and come out of here with a victory.''Utah trailed by 19 points at halftime and 16 after three quarters, but got within two in the final minute."We ran out of gas a little bit in the second half as they played with a frenzy and intensity,'' Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "I had confidence that we'd make the right plays at the end of the game.''The Lakers will host the winner of Monday's Game 7 between San Antonio and New Orleans when the Western Conference finals begin next week.Whether he needs it or not, Bryant has a few days off as the Lakers wait and see who they play in their first Western Conference finals since 2004.Bryant said his back was feeling fine, less than a week after it seized up on him early in Game 4 on Sunday when the Jazz tied the series at 2-2. Bryant was OK to play in Game 5 as the Lakers won at home, then on Friday was back to his MVP self.The Lakers are 8-2 in the playoffs."It's been a great journey and we want to keep it rolling,'' Bryant said. "It's a great accomplishment to get to the conference finals, but we believe we can accomplish much more.''Pau Gasol finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds and teamed up with Lamar Odom to shut down Utah in the lane for most of the first three quarters. Gasol had four blocks and Odom had another as the Lakers flustered the Jazz early and built a lead that was too big for the Jazz to overcome.Utah was 5-for-8 on 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and had a chance to tie it just before the buzzer, but Mehmet Okur and Deron Williams both missed from beyond the arc in the final seconds and Utah's season was over.Williams led Utah with 21 points and 14 assists. Carlos Boozer had 12 points and 14 rebounds, and Okur had 16 points and 10 boards, hitting two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter during Utah's comeback."The same thing that hurt us in L.A., hurt us again. We had to play from behind and we could never get over the hump,'' Williams said. "We gave them a little pressure in the second half and they got a little bit frantic. We should have been doing that the whole game.''Los Angeles stopped Utah's pick-and-roll and just about everything else the Jazz tried inside until the fourth. The Jazz started hurrying outside shots, which weren't going in and the rebounds seemed to always bounce Gasol's way. Nine of his 11 rebounds in the first half were defensive.Utah finally started hitting from the perimeter and getting inside the lane for points in the fourth, but Bryant kept the Lakers from blowing the lead. Bryant made all seven of his foul shots in the fourth and finished the game 9-for-19 from the floor.Odom finished with 13 points and made both his foul shots in the fourth quarter, after struggling from the line earlier in the series. The Lakers took 13 more free throws than the Jazz, getting sent to the line repeatedly as the Jazz tried to make up the deficit. They finished 31-for-38."They made it difficult for us from the start in stopping us from trying to do what we wanted to do,'' Utah coach Jerry Sloan said. "That's what experience can do. They got in our face a little bit and gave us trouble right from the start.''Reserve Paul Millsap added 15 points for Utah and led the Jazz on a 14-5 run early in the fourth quarter that set up the thrilling finish.Williams made a reverse layup to cut it to 91-80, then the Lakers turned it over again when Boozer stepped in front of Gasol to deflect a pass and start another break for Utah, which Millsap finished with another dunk to make it 91-82. It was the first time the lead was single digits since the Lakers led 20-12."I was excited all night and I felt if we could get a little run going I thought we'd get back into the game but we just couldn't get settled down until the end,'' Sloan said.After a timeout by the Lakers, Bryant was called for an offensive foul for an elbow to Matt Harpring. Harpring drew another foul on Bryant at the other end and made both free throws to get Utah within 93-86, but Bryant answered with a 3-pointer to put the Lakers back up by 10 and slow Utah's run.

Author: 1EDmanLV
Keywords: NBA Kobe Bryant KB24 34 play dunk shot 3pt spin moves crossover pass clutch MVP Lakers Jazz Playoffs 2008
Added: May 17, 2008

LeBron James' 32pts,12reb vs Celtics Game 6 Playoffs 2008

CLEVELAND, May 16, 2008 (AP) -- The Boston Celtics are going home for another Game 7.They handled the Atlanta Hawks.LeBron James may not be as easy.James scored 32 points - 19 in the second half - and the Cavaliers forced a decisive and fitting finale to this home-sweet-home playoff series with a 74-69 victory Friday night over the Celtics, who have gone from regular-season road kings to postseason road kill."It was either win or go home,'' James said. "I'm not ready to go home.''The Cavs packed for a weekend stay in Beantown - not a few weeks relaxing on Cape Cod. They've got at least one more game left, and in the NBA, it's as big as they ever get.Game 7. On Sunday. In Boston.James, whose jump shot has mysteriously been missing in this series, made two key baskets midway through the fourth quarter to slow a Boston comeback, Wally Szczerbiak hit a 3-pointer with 2:10 remaining and Joe Smith dropped two free throws with 14 seconds left as the Cavs moved the series back to the East Coast.The Cavs are attempting to become the 14th team to overcome an 0-2 deficit and win a series, and to do so, the defending Eastern Conference champions will have to win in Boston, where the Celtics are 7-0 in the postseason and play like a possessed team with title potential.On the road, they're 0-6 and just ordinary.Still, the Celtics feel good about going home."Mentally we feel like we're a confident team,'' Paul Pierce said. "We've been in Game 7s before, and we feel like this is a game we let slip away. Hopefully, we can go home and take care of business.''The Celtics are 15-3 in Game 7s at home, but the Cavaliers may have some confidence playing on the parquet after nearly winning Games 1 and 5."We can win,'' James said. "We know we can win. We just have to go out there and do it.''Kevin Garnett scored 25 points, Pierce 16 and Ray Allen just nine on 3-of-8 shooting. The Celtics got just two points from guard Rajon Rondo, who scored 20 in their Game 5 win. Boston's point total was the second lowest in franchise playoff history and the fewest points ever given up by Cleveland in the postseason.Afterward, Celtics coach Doc Rivers was still fuming over some calls he felt went against his team."Tell the refs to do the interview. They were just as important,'' an angry Rivers shouted at a team official as he walked back from the postgame news conference.James added 12 rebounds, Delonte West had 10 points and Smith came off the bench to add nine, none bigger than his two free throws that closed out the Celtics.Cleveland's win continued a run of domination by home teams, who improved to 21-1 on their floors in the second round of the playoffs.Leading by nine at halftime, the Cavs quickly extended the lead to 51-36. But just when it appeared the Celtics were in major trouble, they responded behind Garnett, who scored eight points in a 13-0 spurt that pulled Boston within three. James finally ended Cleveland's offensive lapse with a layup and the Cavs got a tip-in and fling-in from Anderson Varejao for a 59-50 lead entering the fourth.Garnett's jumper pulled the Celtics within 65-60 before James scored on a drive, and the All-Star hit an off-balance 17-foot jumper to make it 69-60. Eddie House made a 3-pointer for Boston, but Szczerbiak, who missed his first five 3-pointers, finally got one to go down, giving Cleveland a 72-63 lead.Boston hung around as the Cavs came up empty on several possessions and was still within five when Pierce was whistled for a questionable charge. Allen made two free throws to bring Boston within 72-69, but Smith stepped to the line and as 20,000-plus fans fell deadly silent, made the two biggest free throws of his 13-year career.When the final horn sounded, James fired the ball to the other end and the Cavs left their home floor hoping they can get another chance to play on it again this season.The Cavaliers played without injured guard Daniel Gibson, one of their best outside shooters who helped close out the Detroit Pistons in last year's conference finals. Gibson separated his left shoulder in Game 5.But unlike in that loss, when they let the Celtics cut a 14-point deficit to three in the final few minutes before halftime, the Cavaliers closed the second period with a 17-2 flurry to open a 42-33 lead.The Celtics set up a final shot in the closing seconds, but West made a steal, dribbled quickly into the frontcourt and sank a running 3-pointer at the horn, giving the Cavs their nine-point lead and huge momentum.As is his custom before big games, James arrived three hours before the opening tip to get in some extra shooting in the arena's fourth-floor practice gym.James was confident the Cavaliers would be able to force a Game 7."I don't feel desperate at all,'' he said.

Author: 1EDmanLV
Keywords: NBA LeBron James LBJ King 32 dunk slam shot 3pt moves jam alley-oop Stevenson Cavaliers Wizards Playoffs 2008 MVP
Added: May 17, 2008

Kobe Bryant 34 points game 2 vs Utah Jazz 2008 NBA Playoffs

LOS ANGELES -- Kobe Bryant couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate his first MVP award. He had 34 points, eight rebounds and six assists Wednesday night, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Utah Jazz 120-110 to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals and remain the NBA's only unbeaten team in the postseason. Bryant received his Most Valuable Player trophy from NBA commissioner David Stern in a brief ceremony before the game. "I'm at a loss for words, I don't know what to say," Bryant said as the Staples Center crowd of 18,997 roared its approval and chanted M-V-P. "I love you guys so much. We're going to play until June. Let's get this party started." The 29-year-old Bryant was a runaway winner, receiving 82 first-place votes and 1,100 points to far outdistance New Orleans' Chris Paul in the voting of 126 media members. The results were announced Tuesday. Following the presentation, Bryant's wife and two young daughters gave him with a bouquet of flowers at center court. "It was an emotional night for all of us," Bryant said after the game. "We haven't seen Staples Center this electric. It gave me goose bumps. You want to ride the momentum, and we were able to do that." The Lakers made their first six shots, and after falling behind 13-12, Bryant scored six points during a 13-0 run that put them ahead for good. "We were never able to gather momentum in the second half, but we never really had that point where we felt threatened in this ballgame," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "We felt that the offense was going well, we were doing things we wanted to do." The series shifts to Utah for Games 3 and 4 on Friday night and Sunday. The Jazz had an NBA-best 37-4 home record this season, but one of the losses was by 11 points to the Lakers on March 20. "No expectations, no disappointments," Jackson said regarding the games in Utah. "We've got to control the tempo, we've got to control the pace. That's big in Utah," Bryant said. "We're a pretty good road team. We're really looking forward to it." Derek Fisher, who played for Utah last season, added 22 points, Pau Gasol scored 20, and Lamar Odom had 19 points and 16 rebounds for the Lakers, who shot 57.4 percent from the field and made 35 free throws -- 22 more than the Jazz. "We can't foul them," Utah coach Jerry Sloan said. "We've put them at the line 89 times (in two games). That's way too many. That was the difference in the game, free throws." Seven Utah players scored in double figures led by Deron Williams, who had 25 points, including three 3-pointers in the last 33 seconds, and 10 assists. Paul Millsap added a career playoff-high 17 points and 10 rebounds, Mehmet Okur had 16 points, five rebounds, five assists and five blocked shots, and Andrei Kirilenko scored 14 points. Okur and Kirilenko both fouled out in the final minute. Carlos Boozer was held to 10 points -- all in the second half. He played less than seven minutes in the first half because of foul trouble. "We feel like we've been in both games, we just haven't been able to get over the hump," Utah's Kyle Korver said. The Jazz outrebounded the Lakers 58-41 in Game 1, but lost 109-98. They won the battle of the backboards again 41-37, but shot 44.6 percent while attempting a season-high 101 shots -- 33 more than Los Angeles. "There's no need to panic, but they're definitely in control right now," said Williams, who scored three points in the first half. "We've got to protect our home court. These next two games are must-wins. If we're down 3-1, it's going tough to come back from." The Jazz outscored the Lakers 11-4 to get within five points with just under six minutes to play. But a jumper by Sasha Vujacic, a 3-pointer by Fisher and a free throw by Gasol extended the Lakers' lead to 105-94 with 4:26 left. A three-point play by Kirilenko made it 107-99 before Bryant fed Gasol for a dunk with 2:40 to go, and the Jazz weren't closer than six points after that. "It's a great day for us today," Odom said. "We just fed off the crowd." The Jazz drew within nine points early in the third quarter before Bryant outscored them 9-4 by himself to make it 82-68. A 3-pointer by Williams with 1.5 seconds left in the third quarter trimmed the Lakers' lead to 93-83. The Lakers led 55-40 before Williams made a 3-pointer for his only points of the first half. It was 63-49 at halftime, and it might have been worse for the Jazz had Millsap not scored 13 points -- three more than his previous playoff high.

Author: thekobebryantblitz
Keywords: Kobe Bryant 34 points game vs Utah Jazz 2008 NBA Playoffs
Added: May 16, 2008

Kobe Bryant 34 points game 2 vs Utah Jazz 2008 NBA Playoffs

LOS ANGELES -- Kobe Bryant couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate his first MVP award. He had 34 points, eight rebounds and six assists Wednesday night, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Utah Jazz 120-110 to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals and remain the NBA's only unbeaten team in the postseason. Bryant received his Most Valuable Player trophy from NBA commissioner David Stern in a brief ceremony before the game. "I'm at a loss for words, I don't know what to say," Bryant said as the Staples Center crowd of 18,997 roared its approval and chanted M-V-P. "I love you guys so much. We're going to play until June. Let's get this party started." The 29-year-old Bryant was a runaway winner, receiving 82 first-place votes and 1,100 points to far outdistance New Orleans' Chris Paul in the voting of 126 media members. The results were announced Tuesday. Following the presentation, Bryant's wife and two young daughters gave him with a bouquet of flowers at center court. "It was an emotional night for all of us," Bryant said after the game. "We haven't seen Staples Center this electric. It gave me goose bumps. You want to ride the momentum, and we were able to do that." The Lakers made their first six shots, and after falling behind 13-12, Bryant scored six points during a 13-0 run that put them ahead for good. "We were never able to gather momentum in the second half, but we never really had that point where we felt threatened in this ballgame," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "We felt that the offense was going well, we were doing things we wanted to do." The series shifts to Utah for Games 3 and 4 on Friday night and Sunday. The Jazz had an NBA-best 37-4 home record this season, but one of the losses was by 11 points to the Lakers on March 20. "No expectations, no disappointments," Jackson said regarding the games in Utah. "We've got to control the tempo, we've got to control the pace. That's big in Utah," Bryant said. "We're a pretty good road team. We're really looking forward to it." Derek Fisher, who played for Utah last season, added 22 points, Pau Gasol scored 20, and Lamar Odom had 19 points and 16 rebounds for the Lakers, who shot 57.4 percent from the field and made 35 free throws -- 22 more than the Jazz. "We can't foul them," Utah coach Jerry Sloan said. "We've put them at the line 89 times (in two games). That's way too many. That was the difference in the game, free throws." Seven Utah players scored in double figures led by Deron Williams, who had 25 points, including three 3-pointers in the last 33 seconds, and 10 assists. Paul Millsap added a career playoff-high 17 points and 10 rebounds, Mehmet Okur had 16 points, five rebounds, five assists and five blocked shots, and Andrei Kirilenko scored 14 points. Okur and Kirilenko both fouled out in the final minute. Carlos Boozer was held to 10 points -- all in the second half. He played less than seven minutes in the first half because of foul trouble. "We feel like we've been in both games, we just haven't been able to get over the hump," Utah's Kyle Korver said. The Jazz outrebounded the Lakers 58-41 in Game 1, but lost 109-98. They won the battle of the backboards again 41-37, but shot 44.6 percent while attempting a season-high 101 shots -- 33 more than Los Angeles. "There's no need to panic, but they're definitely in control right now," said Williams, who scored three points in the first half. "We've got to protect our home court. These next two games are must-wins. If we're down 3-1, it's going tough to come back from." The Jazz outscored the Lakers 11-4 to get within five points with just under six minutes to play. But a jumper by Sasha Vujacic, a 3-pointer by Fisher and a free throw by Gasol extended the Lakers' lead to 105-94 with 4:26 left. A three-point play by Kirilenko made it 107-99 before Bryant fed Gasol for a dunk with 2:40 to go, and the Jazz weren't closer than six points after that. "It's a great day for us today," Odom said. "We just fed off the crowd." The Jazz drew within nine points early in the third quarter before Bryant outscored them 9-4 by himself to make it 82-68. A 3-pointer by Williams with 1.5 seconds left in the third quarter trimmed the Lakers' lead to 93-83. The Lakers led 55-40 before Williams made a 3-pointer for his only points of the first half. It was 63-49 at halftime, and it might have been worse for the Jazz had Millsap not scored 13 points -- three more than his previous playoff high.

Author: thekobebryantblitz
Keywords: Kobe Bryant 34 points game vs Utah Jazz 2008 NBA Playoffs
Added: May 16, 2008

Kobe Bryant 34 points game 2 vs Utah Jazz 2008 NBA Playoffs

LOS ANGELES -- Kobe Bryant couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate his first MVP award. He had 34 points, eight rebounds and six assists Wednesday night, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Utah Jazz 120-110 to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals and remain the NBA's only unbeaten team in the postseason. Bryant received his Most Valuable Player trophy from NBA commissioner David Stern in a brief ceremony before the game. "I'm at a loss for words, I don't know what to say," Bryant said as the Staples Center crowd of 18,997 roared its approval and chanted M-V-P. "I love you guys so much. We're going to play until June. Let's get this party started." The 29-year-old Bryant was a runaway winner, receiving 82 first-place votes and 1,100 points to far outdistance New Orleans' Chris Paul in the voting of 126 media members. The results were announced Tuesday. Following the presentation, Bryant's wife and two young daughters gave him with a bouquet of flowers at center court. "It was an emotional night for all of us," Bryant said after the game. "We haven't seen Staples Center this electric. It gave me goose bumps. You want to ride the momentum, and we were able to do that." The Lakers made their first six shots, and after falling behind 13-12, Bryant scored six points during a 13-0 run that put them ahead for good. "We were never able to gather momentum in the second half, but we never really had that point where we felt threatened in this ballgame," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "We felt that the offense was going well, we were doing things we wanted to do." The series shifts to Utah for Games 3 and 4 on Friday night and Sunday. The Jazz had an NBA-best 37-4 home record this season, but one of the losses was by 11 points to the Lakers on March 20. "No expectations, no disappointments," Jackson said regarding the games in Utah. "We've got to control the tempo, we've got to control the pace. That's big in Utah," Bryant said. "We're a pretty good road team. We're really looking forward to it." Derek Fisher, who played for Utah last season, added 22 points, Pau Gasol scored 20, and Lamar Odom had 19 points and 16 rebounds for the Lakers, who shot 57.4 percent from the field and made 35 free throws -- 22 more than the Jazz. "We can't foul them," Utah coach Jerry Sloan said. "We've put them at the line 89 times (in two games). That's way too many. That was the difference in the game, free throws." Seven Utah players scored in double figures led by Deron Williams, who had 25 points, including three 3-pointers in the last 33 seconds, and 10 assists. Paul Millsap added a career playoff-high 17 points and 10 rebounds, Mehmet Okur had 16 points, five rebounds, five assists and five blocked shots, and Andrei Kirilenko scored 14 points. Okur and Kirilenko both fouled out in the final minute. Carlos Boozer was held to 10 points -- all in the second half. He played less than seven minutes in the first half because of foul trouble. "We feel like we've been in both games, we just haven't been able to get over the hump," Utah's Kyle Korver said. The Jazz outrebounded the Lakers 58-41 in Game 1, but lost 109-98. They won the battle of the backboards again 41-37, but shot 44.6 percent while attempting a season-high 101 shots -- 33 more than Los Angeles. "There's no need to panic, but they're definitely in control right now," said Williams, who scored three points in the first half. "We've got to protect our home court. These next two games are must-wins. If we're down 3-1, it's going tough to come back from." The Jazz outscored the Lakers 11-4 to get within five points with just under six minutes to play. But a jumper by Sasha Vujacic, a 3-pointer by Fisher and a free throw by Gasol extended the Lakers' lead to 105-94 with 4:26 left. A three-point play by Kirilenko made it 107-99 before Bryant fed Gasol for a dunk with 2:40 to go, and the Jazz weren't closer than six points after that. "It's a great day for us today," Odom said. "We just fed off the crowd." The Jazz drew within nine points early in the third quarter before Bryant outscored them 9-4 by himself to make it 82-68. A 3-pointer by Williams with 1.5 seconds left in the third quarter trimmed the Lakers' lead to 93-83. The Lakers led 55-40 before Williams made a 3-pointer for his only points of the first half. It was 63-49 at halftime, and it might have been worse for the Jazz had Millsap not scored 13 points -- three more than his previous playoff high.

Author: thekobebryantblitz
Keywords: Kobe Bryant 34 points game vs Utah Jazz 2008 NBA Playoffs
Added: May 16, 2008

Kobe Bryant 34 points game 2 vs Utah Jazz 2008 NBA Playoffs

LOS ANGELES -- Kobe Bryant couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate his first MVP award. He had 34 points, eight rebounds and six assists Wednesday night, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Utah Jazz 120-110 to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals and remain the NBA's only unbeaten team in the postseason. Bryant received his Most Valuable Player trophy from NBA commissioner David Stern in a brief ceremony before the game. "I'm at a loss for words, I don't know what to say," Bryant said as the Staples Center crowd of 18,997 roared its approval and chanted M-V-P. "I love you guys so much. We're going to play until June. Let's get this party started." The 29-year-old Bryant was a runaway winner, receiving 82 first-place votes and 1,100 points to far outdistance New Orleans' Chris Paul in the voting of 126 media members. The results were announced Tuesday. Following the presentation, Bryant's wife and two young daughters gave him with a bouquet of flowers at center court. "It was an emotional night for all of us," Bryant said after the game. "We haven't seen Staples Center this electric. It gave me goose bumps. You want to ride the momentum, and we were able to do that." The Lakers made their first six shots, and after falling behind 13-12, Bryant scored six points during a 13-0 run that put them ahead for good. "We were never able to gather momentum in the second half, but we never really had that point where we felt threatened in this ballgame," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "We felt that the offense was going well, we were doing things we wanted to do." The series shifts to Utah for Games 3 and 4 on Friday night and Sunday. The Jazz had an NBA-best 37-4 home record this season, but one of the losses was by 11 points to the Lakers on March 20. "No expectations, no disappointments," Jackson said regarding the games in Utah. "We've got to control the tempo, we've got to control the pace. That's big in Utah," Bryant said. "We're a pretty good road team. We're really looking forward to it." Derek Fisher, who played for Utah last season, added 22 points, Pau Gasol scored 20, and Lamar Odom had 19 points and 16 rebounds for the Lakers, who shot 57.4 percent from the field and made 35 free throws -- 22 more than the Jazz. "We can't foul them," Utah coach Jerry Sloan said. "We've put them at the line 89 times (in two games). That's way too many. That was the difference in the game, free throws." Seven Utah players scored in double figures led by Deron Williams, who had 25 points, including three 3-pointers in the last 33 seconds, and 10 assists. Paul Millsap added a career playoff-high 17 points and 10 rebounds, Mehmet Okur had 16 points, five rebounds, five assists and five blocked shots, and Andrei Kirilenko scored 14 points. Okur and Kirilenko both fouled out in the final minute. Carlos Boozer was held to 10 points -- all in the second half. He played less than seven minutes in the first half because of foul trouble. "We feel like we've been in both games, we just haven't been able to get over the hump," Utah's Kyle Korver said. The Jazz outrebounded the Lakers 58-41 in Game 1, but lost 109-98. They won the battle of the backboards again 41-37, but shot 44.6 percent while attempting a season-high 101 shots -- 33 more than Los Angeles. "There's no need to panic, but they're definitely in control right now," said Williams, who scored three points in the first half. "We've got to protect our home court. These next two games are must-wins. If we're down 3-1, it's going tough to come back from." The Jazz outscored the Lakers 11-4 to get within five points with just under six minutes to play. But a jumper by Sasha Vujacic, a 3-pointer by Fisher and a free throw by Gasol extended the Lakers' lead to 105-94 with 4:26 left. A three-point play by Kirilenko made it 107-99 before Bryant fed Gasol for a dunk with 2:40 to go, and the Jazz weren't closer than six points after that. "It's a great day for us today," Odom said. "We just fed off the crowd." The Jazz drew within nine points early in the third quarter before Bryant outscored them 9-4 by himself to make it 82-68. A 3-pointer by Williams with 1.5 seconds left in the third quarter trimmed the Lakers' lead to 93-83. The Lakers led 55-40 before Williams made a 3-pointer for his only points of the first half. It was 63-49 at halftime, and it might have been worse for the Jazz had Millsap not scored 13 points -- three more than his previous playoff high.

Author: thekobebryantblitz
Keywords: Kobe Bryant 34 points game vs Utah Jazz 2008 NBA Playoffs
Added: May 16, 2008

Horford, Scola named to NBA All Rookie squad
Although niether were able to beat out Seattle’s Kevin Durant for the NBA rookie of the year award, both Luis Scola and Al Horford were able to join him. The NBA announced the selections for this seasons NBA All-Rookie team, joining Scola, Horford and Durant were Al Thorton of the LA Clippers and Durant’s teammate Jeff Green.
http://digg.com/basketball/Horford_Scola_named_to_NBA_All_Rookie_squad

An easy way to track the NBA Playoffs 2008 news and bracket
Get the inside playoff scoop from teams' hometown newspapers and beat writers all on one page. Read what the Boston Globe, LA Times, Detroit Free Press and more are saying about their teams' run to the NBA Finals.
http://digg.com/basketball/An_easy_way_to_track_the_NBA_Playoffs_2008_news_and_bracket

Kevin Durant Heads NBA All-Rookie Team
Seattle Supersonics guard Kevin Durant and forward Jeff Green were selected to the all-rookie team, along with Atlanta Hawks forward Al Horford, Houston Rockets forward Luis Scola and Los Angeles Clippers forward Al Thornton.
http://digg.com/basketball/Kevin_Durant_Heads_NBA_All_Rookie_Team

2008 NBA All Defensive Team
Looks like Kobe Bryant is going for the cycle, first he gets the MVP, then he gets on the All NBA first team and now he is getting credit for his work on the defensive side of the floor as well by being put on the NBA All-Defensive Team.
http://digg.com/basketball/2008_NBA_All_Defensive_Team

NBA All-Rookie team announced
First Team TeamAl Horford HawksKevin Durant SonicsLuis Scola RocketsAl Thornton ClippersJeff Green Sonics
http://digg.com/basketball/NBA_All_Rookie_team_announced

Cleveland Cavaliers - the big NBA team
In the USA basketball playoff, Cleveland Cavaliers had a big home win in game 4 over Boston Celtics (May 12, 2008). Right now score it is 2-2 from the best of 7. The “big three”: Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett from BOS Celtics have had 43 points in the entire match. The all starters have had 60 points.
http://digg.com/basketball/Cleveland_Cavaliers_the_big_NBA_team

NBA's All-Defensive Team Named
Recently named NBA MVP Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and the 2004 winner of the same award, the Boston Celtics Kevin Garnett, headlined the league's All-Defensive Team.
http://digg.com/basketball/NBA_s_All_Defensive_Team_Named

Kobe, Garnett Headline All-Defensive Team
NEW YORK, May 12, 2008 – Forward Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers headline the NBA All-Defensive First Team, the NBA announced today. Garnett, who earns his ninth All-Defensive Team selection, and Bryant, who earns his eighth selection, each received 52 points overall including 24 first-place nods.
http://digg.com/basketball/Kobe_Garnett_Headline_All_Defensive_Team

What does it take to win an MVP award?
Kobe raised his trophy on the air as he called his teammates to join him in his first ever MVP award. After years of being a scoring champion and with all the accolades Kobe made his first ever MVP award and is trying to guide his team for another championship run a feat that some of the greatest stars in the NBA have made...read more
http://digg.com/basketball/What_does_it_take_to_win_an_MVP_award

Kobe Bryant Makes the All NBA First Team
Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul being named to the All NBA First Team was a no brainer, but there were a few first timers on the list this year and a few snubs of players that are on the list every season.
http://digg.com/basketball/Kobe_Bryant_Makes_the_All_NBA_First_Team