LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers took advantage of a
rousing start, outscoring the Utah Jazz 33-18 in the first quarter on their way
to a 120-110 victory that gave them a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven Western
Conference series on Wednesday.
"We never got to the point where we felt threatened," Lakers
coach Phil Jackson said, although Utah got within 99-94 with about five and half
minutes left.
"The offense was going well. We were doing the things we
wanted to do."
Newly-crowned league MVP Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 34
points. Utah guard Deron Williams was top scorer for the Jazz with 25 points.
The Lakers-Jazz series Game 3 is set Friday in Salt Lake City
(Saturday in Manila).
The Orlando Magic thrashed the Detroit Pistons 111-86 to cut
the deficit in their Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series to 2-1.
Forward Rashard Lewis led the way with 33 points and center
Dwight Howard contributed 20 points and 12 rebounds in the Game 3 rout in
Orlando.
The Magic roared into a 20-6 lead and Detroit looked in
trouble when guard Chauncey Billups was forced to the locker room with a
strained hamstring.
"I thought getting off to that start gave us confidence, got
the crowd into the game and more importantly gave us a cushion we really
needed," Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said.
"He’s their leader, he runs everything," Van Gundy said of
Billups, who scored 28 points in Detroit’s Game 2 victory. "It definitely had a
huge effect on the game."
Orlando led 54-42 at the intermission but Detroit clawed its
way back.
The Pistons used a 12-2 run late in the third quarter to move
within four points at 73-69 heading into the fourth when an 11-0 burst by the
Magic put them in front to stay.
About halfway through the first quarter, Billups slipped as
he made a move toward the hoop and went into a near split. He limped off the
court and did not return.
"I think we’re shooting for him to play on Saturday," Detroit
coach Flip Saunders said. "I’m concerned because he’s our quarterback and runs
our team. He’s been a huge part of why we’ve been successful."
Rookie Rodney Stuckey filled in for Billups, scoring 19
points.
Detroit made a determined push in the third quarter, stepping
up the defensive pressure and forcing the Magic into mistakes as they outscored
Orlando 27-19.
The comeback seemed to drain the Pistons, however, and the
Magic re-established their big lead behind the all-around play of Lewis and
Howard.
"We’re still down 2-1 in the series," cautioned Van Gundy.
"Game 4 is obviously a very, very big game for us on Saturday."
Game 4 is on Saturday in Orlando.
