Thu May 15 01:49:23 2008

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Bryant, Odom help Lakers edge Jazz to take series lead

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Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Kobe Bryant, bad back and all, scored 26 points, doled out seven assists, and grabbed six rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers held off the Utah Jazz, 111-104, to take a three-to-two lead in their Western Conference semifinal series.

Lamar Odom had 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who will try to advance to the conference finals with a win in Utah. Game 6 is scheduled for Friday night in Salt Lake City. To do so, the Lakers will have to reverse the incredible string of home-court dominance in this round of the playoffs.

The Lakers improved to 5-0 at home in playoffs, and, coupled with the Celtics' win over the Cavaliers in Boston on Wednesday, home teams are a commanding 19-1 in the second round of the playoffs.

Pau Gasol added 21 points, eight assists, and six boards for LA.

Deron Williams scored 27 points and tallied 10 assists for the Jazz, who were always in striking distance, but never led. Carlos Boozer had 18 points and 12 boards on 6-of-16 shooting, and Mehmet Okur added 13 points and 13 boards for Utah.