Lakers 111, Jazz 103

The Lakers took a 2-0 series lead over the Utah Jazz with a sound performance tonight in Game 2 of their second-round series. Will we see a repeat of their first-round win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, when they coughed up the lead and found themselves having to answer loads of questions about their fitness? They rallied with victories in Games 5 and 6, but it was by no means the jog in the park many predicted. The difference in this series might be Kobe Bryant, who looks to be a good deal healthier than in the first round. Bryant scored 30 points, grabbed five rebounds and added eight assists tonight. There were no signs of the debilitating ankle and knee injuries that slowed him in the first round.