MVP Bryant Leads Lakers Past Jazz 120-110 In Game 2 Of Series

Los Angeles, CA (AHN) - Kobe Bryant, recipient of the NBA's 2008 MVP award, had 34 points eight rebounds and six assists Wednesday to lead the Los Angeles Lakers past the Utah Jazz 120-110 to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.

The 29-year-old All Star guard, who went 11-of-18 from the floor and was near perfect from the line making 11 out of 12, received a total 82-first-place votes and 1,1000 points way ahead of nearest competitor Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets to receive his first MVP trophy in a brief ceremony just before tip-off. Bryant twice contented for the MVP honors in his 12-year NBA career but failed to land the title.

Bryant's big night also got his teammates going with Pau Gasol adding 20 points and five blocked shots while Lamar Odom contributed 19 points and grabbed 16 boards. Derek Fisher, who went 4-of-5 from the three point area, added 22 points and three steals for Los Angeles Lakers who remain the only unbeaten team in the postseason.

Utah, who twice won the battle of the backboards in Game 1 and 2, shot 44.6 percent despite seven players registering in double figures. Deron Williams, who scored 25 points, had only three points courtesy of a three pointer before the break, while Carlos Boozer, who played only six minutes because of foul problem, had only 10 points after going scoreless in the first half. The Los Angeles Lakers were up at 63-49 at halftime.

The Jazz rallied in the third to narrow the Laker's lead to just 10 points, 93-83 after Williams drilled a three-pointer with 1.5 seconds remaining in the third period.

Utah's Andrei Kirilenko converted on a three-point play to cut it 107-99 but Gasol countered with a dunk off a feed from Bryant with 2:40 left in the final period eventually sealing the game.

Paul Millsap added 17 points for a career playoff-high and had 10 rebounds while Mehmet Okur contributed 16 points, five rebounds and five assists. Andrei Kirilenko had 14 points and 5 assists.

The series heads to Utah for Games 3 and Games 4 on Friday night and Sunday, where the Jazz own a 37-4 record.