Jazz level Lakers series
12/05/2008 10:42:05 AM
The Utah Jazz have withstood a furious rally from the top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers to level their Western Conference semi-finals series with a 123-115 overtime victory in Game Four on Sunday.
Deron Williams scored 29 points and dished 14 assists for the Jazz, who blew a sizeable fourth-quarter lead before grinding out the victory in overtime.
With 36 seconds left in the overtime period and Utah nursing a two-point edge, Williams found Andrei Kirilenko underneath the basket for a strong dunk, while the forward drew the foul and completed a three-point play to give the Jazz a five-point lead.
Kobe Bryant misfired on a wild drive to the hoop on Los Angeles' next possession and Carlos Boozer grabbed the board and quickly got the ball to Kyle Korver, who buried both attempts to help seal the victory.
The Jazz went six-of-six from the line in the final 30 seconds to preserve the victory and secure one more home game in the series.
Reserve forward Ronny Turiaf, one of coach Phil Jackson's top energy guys and a valuable rebounder and inside presence, was ejected two minutes into the second period after knocking Jazz guard Ronnie Price hard to the floor.
Price was cutting to the basket, when a foul was called on Sasha Vujacic. After the whistle, Turiaf hammered Price, who suffered a cut above his right eye which required four stitches.
The best-of-seven series is level at two games apiece and perhaps in favour of the Jazz with league MVP Bryant hampered by a back complaint.
Bryant's struggles weren't reflected on the scoreboard, however, with the 29-year-old contributing 33 points but he tipped in just eight points in the fourth quarter and overtime period combined.