NBA Western Conference Series: Kobe Bryant Stars In Lakers Victory Over Jazz In Game 3
Los Angeles Lakers yesterday defeated Utah Jazz 111-110 in Game 3 of their Western Conference series.
Kobe Bryant scored 35 points for LA Lakers, who are now on the verge of advancing to the Western Conference finals. The defending champions were helped by 20 points each from Ron Artest and Derek Fisher. "We've learned from our past experience. It's a big factor for us. You have to be extremely disciplined and show poise," Bryant said.
On his part, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan admitted that his team will find it very tough to move into the next round from here. We've got our backs to the wall. We had our backs to the wall to begin with playing them. They are a terrific team. They have some tough things to stop," said Sloan.
Lakers' star Bryant hit a 3-pointer in the last minute of the game to pull his side level at 106 and after Utah's Deron Williams hit a jumper, Bryant succeeded in making a clutch pass to Fisher, who scored three points to give Lakers a 109-108 lead. "That was a great game. Artest and Fish played very big," said a visibly excited Lakers coach Phil Jackson said.
Williams was the best player for Jazz with 28 points and 9 assists, while Kyle Korver added a career-playoff-high 23 points and Carlos Boozer added 14 points. Jazz's Russian recruit Russian Andrei Kirilenko also played in yesterday's match after remaining out of action for two months due to a left calf injury.
