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. tags: 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 (LA) vs Utah Jazz Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Hornets San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavs …