Adjustments work, Lakers win

SALT LAKE CITY — Kobe Bryant tried a new offensive approach in Game 4 and Phil Jackson made a change to his starting lineup tonight. Both moves worked and the Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz, 108-94, to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-7 series. Game 5 is Monday at Staples Center and the Lakers can eliminate Utah with a victory. Bryant scored 38 points on 16-for-24 shooting tonight, looking for his shot from the opening tip instead of looking for his teammates. He had only one assist. Jackson started Lamar Odom instead of Andrew Bynum, and Odom responded with 10 points and 15 rebounds. Bynum had only two points and one rebound in seven minutes. Look for Jackson to stick with the same rotation for Game 5. The Lakers will try to end the series Monday, avoiding a return to Utah, where they are only 3-10 in playoff games.