LOS ANGELES (AFP) — The Los Angeles Lakers held off the Utah Jazz 111-104 on Wednesday to move within one victory of advancing in the National Basketball Association playoffs.
Pau Gasol made two key baskets down the stretch for the Lakers, who took a three-games-to-two lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference second-round series.
Spain's Gasol finished with 21 points, eight assists and six rebounds, and NBA Most Valuable Player Kobe Bryant scored 26 points for the Lakers, who can wrap up the series with a victory in game six on Friday at Salt Lake City.
The Jazz were an NBA-leading 37-4 at home during the regular season, with one of their rare home defeats coming against the Lakers.
"Make a couple of darn shots, that's it, that's what we have to do," Bryant said of what it will take to win in Utah.
"At home teams play with more energy on defensive end," he added. "We certainly did tonight. We just have to carry that over. We will. We're a pretty good road team. Utah's an excellent home team, but we've played pretty well in Utah."
Mehmet Okur's putback pulled the Jazz within one point, but Gasol answered with a basket then added another off Sasha Vujacic's missed 3-pointer to make it 107-102 with 20 seconds to play.
The game was tied at 81-81 heading into the fourth quarter, but the Jazz were never able to take the lead.
Reserve point guard Jordan Farmar converted a three-point play early in the fourth, and Lamar Odom was fouled on a dunk and converted the three-point play that saw the Lakers extend their lead to 97-91 with 6:19 to play.
The Jazz would battle back to within one point on a 3-pointer by Deron Williams with 2:18 left.
On the next possession, Bryant spun through the lane and found Odom open for a dunk. Okur came back with a layup to get the Jazz again within one, before Gasol struck.
"Obviously, the game was on the line and we had to just bring out everything we had left," Gasol said. "It was a tough game, a very physical game. They played very aggressive, and we had to fight for every possession.
"Basically I had to dig inside of me and bring up some energy and some effectiveness," said Gasol, who had been manhandled by the Jazz in the previous two games.
"They've been pretty consistent as far as every time I put the ball on floor coming and trying to strip it out of my hands and make it difficult for me," he said. "Basically I've just got to do a better job of going quicker and stronger and making sure I protect the ball and I'm able to hit my open teammate."
Bryant, who hurt his back early in Sunday's overtime loss in Salt Lake City, said it was still sore but improving.
He attempted just 10 shots, but played the role of distributor for Gasol and Odom, who finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
"It was a great team effort. My teammates really picked me up tonight," Bryant said.
"The important thing is it can't get any worse," he said of his back. "I should be fine by game six."
"He's got a great heart," Gasol said of Bryant, "and a great hunger for winning."
Starters Derek Fisher and Vladimir Radmanovic were also in double figures for the Lakers.
"I thought we were a little bit excited," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "We didn't have the kind of poise I like to see. But our energy was good, that's for sure."
Williams led the Jazz with 27 points and 10 assists, keeping Utah close throughout.
"I thought we did a pretty good job ... coming down the stretch we just couldn't seem to score even when we got the basketball inside," Utah coach Jerry Sloan said. "That's one of the things that hurt us, we had some opportunities, but we missed some shots we'd like to have back."
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