Kobe Bryant scored 40 the night after scoring an NBA season-high 48 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers over the Utah Jazz 90-87 in overtime Wednesday night at the Energy Solutions Arena, the first road win for the Lakers. It was the second strait 40+ point game for Bryant, and his fifth 30+ point game in the last six days.
Neither team was able to get much of an advantage in the first half, as Bryant and Paul Millsap were the only players in double digits. The rest of the players on the court did finally get involved in the third quarter, and at the start of the fourth quarter the two teams remained close. Unable to differentiate themselves, the teams headed to overtime.
Overtime was just as much of a seesaw battle as regulation, with Kobe Bryant still running much of the Laker offense. The key play was made by the Laker defensive leader Andrew Bynum, who got one of his five blocks on the Jazz' second to last play with the Lakers only up one. The subsequent free throws were hit, and then Kobe Bryant blocked the desperation three point attempt with .7 of a second left on the clock.
Pau Gasol scored 14 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for his fourth consecutive double-double. This included an overtime three pointer that had the bench jumping.
Paul Millsap finished with 29 points and 9 rebounds for the Jazz in a losing effort. Josh Howard came alive in the second half and scored 18 points. Devin Harris had five assists for the Jazz, but only three points.
The Lakers head back home to Los Angeles, where they'll welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night, before a "road" battle against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.
For more news and information on the Lakers, be sure to read Silver Screen and Roll.