Kobe Bryant 38 points game 4 vs Utah Jazz 2009 NBA Playoffs

SALT LAKE CITY(AP) It took Kobe Bryant only a few minutes to end his shooting slump.

Bryant scored Los Angeles' first 11 points and once his teammates joined in, the Lakers overwhelmed the Jazz 108-94 on Saturday night and moved within one game of advancing to the second round.

"It was important for me to come out and be a little more assertive,'' said Bryant, who scored 38 two nights after one of his worst shooting games in years.

Bryant scored 38 points and added only 1 assist but when you win a playoff game, who cares? Kobe was coming off a 5-for-24 night Thursday in the Lakers' only loss of the series.

"We never could get close enough to guard him,'' Utah coach Jerry Sloan said. "I think he put everyone on his back and got them off to the way they wanted to play.''

He scored in double figures in each of the first three quarters and more than doubled his scoring from Game 4.

"Coming off that semi-bad performance - that horrible performance I had in that last game,'' Bryant said with a grin, "it feels good to respond with a game like this.''

Lamar Odom had 10 points and 15 rebounds and Pau Gasol added 13 points for the Lakers, who host Game 5 on Monday night.

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Eastern Conference
Cleveland Cavaliers (cavs) vs. Detroit Pistons
Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls
Orlando Magic vs. Philadelphia 76ers (sixers)
Atlanta Hawks vs. Miami Heat

Western Conference:
Los Angeles Lakers (L.A.) vs Utah Jazz
Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Hornets
San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavs (mavericks)
Portland Trailblazers (blazers) vs. Houston Rockets

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[carlawon]

this stupid tramp keeps talking about lebron at a laker game,....... she needs to be slapped in the face with a 56 lb. catfish.........

[thug8200]

@RTR9 he had a broken hand damn

[Kyuubiroar1]

@KOBEandCAMBRIA24 Dude, John Stockton. LARRY BIRD. 2 of the greatest players ALL TIME (Bird being more so than Kobe) and they're WHITE. Larry Bird torched MJ in the 80's, but MJ came back in the 90's and dominated. And dude, size means NOTHING. It might give you a little disadvantage, but honestly, if you judge someone's defense by their height, then you are not a very bright person. Defense isn't just on-ball. Remember that.

[KOBEandCAMBRIA24]

dude, hes litterally doing whatever he wants. i mean, Kobe and MJ are the only 2 players that did this, in fact. MJ didnt do it like this, Kobe is the only player EVER that can hit shots like this. its fucking crazy. when he retires... well, fuck.

[Hurrac]

cheryl miller, amazing player, terrible commentator. she's no mark jackson.

[KobeBryantROXz]

@agentshadow5 search espn theme song

[NBA1529]

that bitch is annoying... there better be a kitchen on that broadcasting table..

[316john316john]

if you look closely lebron traveled....

[jgutter34]

Did yall see that HOTTTT chick sitting behind the dude holding the MVP poster wearing the utah jersey @ 3:19.. mmmmmmm

[castrokobe24]

"He just keeps knocking' em in Brewers grill!"

[worldofwarcraftowns1]

kobe is better

[nigga181]

Ur a fuck face for putting the missed shots

what are you mad! U fuckin duck