Lakers hold off Jazz to advance in NBA playoffs

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (AFP) — The Los Angeles Lakers withstood a late rally by the Utah Jazz Friday, posting a 108-105 victory to advance to the Western Conference finals of the National Basketball Association playoffs.

Kobe Bryant, the league's Most Valuable Player, scored 34 points, leading six Lakers players in double figures as Los Angeles completed a four-games-to-two triumph in the best-of-seven second-round series.

To do it, the Lakers had to become the first team in the series to win on the road - against a Jazz team that had the best home record in the regular season.

It was the Lakers' first playoff victory at Utah since 1988, and sent them to their first Western Conference finals since 2004.

The Lakers now await the winner of the other...