Lakers 104, Jazz 99

Was there any doubt? Well, yeah, kind of, for a minute or two. Then the Lakers woke up from their slumber, snatched the game from the hands of the Utah Jazz and went on to win Game 1 of their second-round playoff series today at Staples Center. Kobe Bryant scored 31 points and Pau Gasol had 25 points and 12 rebounds. Lamar Odom added nine points, including a key putback, plus 12 rebounds. Deron Williams had 24 for the Jazz.