The Los Angeles Lakers made a fantastic start to the defense of their Western Conference title on Sunday, racing to a 22-point first-half lead on the way to a 113-100 victory over the Utah Jazz.
Kobe Bryant scored 24 points and forward Trevor Ariza added a career playoff-high 21 points for the top-seeded Lakers, who got 20 points from Pau Gasol in taking the opener of the best-of-seven quarter-final series.
Bryant and Ariza each scored 12 points in a 62-point first half and although Utah closed within nine late in the third, the visitors could not get any closer.
PHOTO: AP
“They [Utah] did a good job hanging in there,” Bryant told reporters. “That’s what Utah does. They scrap, claw, they got a lot of free throws that kept them in the game, but we were able to keep the cushion.”
Bryant, who dished out four of his eight assists in the first quarter, was especially pleased with the play of Ariza.
“He’s playing phenomenal basketball,” Bryant said. “When he first got here, a lot of people questioned his shooting ability. I don’t think people question his shooting anymore.”
Ariza hit eight-of-10 shots from the floor, including a trio of three-pointers.
“They were double-teaming everybody else, so my team mates told me if I was open, shoot the ball and that was what I was doing,” Ariza said.
Carlos Boozer led the eighth-seeded Jazz with 27 points. Deron Williams added 16 points and 17 assists, but Utah shot only 39.1 percent compared to Los Angeles’ 55.6.
The Jazz, who were missing the injured Mehmet Okur, will try to even the best-of-seven series today in Los Angeles.
In Eastern Conference action, the sixth-seeded Philadelphia 76ers surprised Orlando Magic 100-98 on Andre Iguodala’s field goal with two seconds remaining and the Atlanta Hawks soared past Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat 90-64.
In the day’s other West playoff contest, the second-seeded Denver Nuggets crushed the New Orleans Hornets 113-84 behind 36 points by Chauncey Billups.
In Orlando, the 76ers roared back from a 18-point third-quarter deficit to claim the road victory.
Iguodala had 20 points for Philadelphia and reserve guard Lou Williams added 18.
Dwight Howard’s 31 points and 16 paced Orlando, who host Game Two tomorrow.
In Atlanta, the Hawks held Wade to 19 points. Josh Smith topped Atlanta with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
Five team mates were in double figures. Game Two is in Atlanta tomorrow.
In Denver, Billups did all his scoring in three quarters as he poured in eight three-pointers. He had 16 of the Nuggets’ 27 points in the first quarter, scored just two in the second, then delivered 18 in the third as Denver pulled ahead 87-69.
Chris Paul led New Orleans with 21 points and 11 assists.
Game Two takes place in Denver tomorrow.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely