Kirilenko stuffs Kobe, Lakers in OT as Jazz tie series 2-2

[May 12, 2008]  SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Andrei Kirilenko blocked Kobe Bryant twice in overtime and converted a three-point play with 35 seconds remaining as the Utah Jazz beat the Los Angeles Lakers 123-115 on Sunday, tying the Western Conference semifinals at 2-2. The Jazz went 9-for-9 from the foul line in overtime and outscored the Lakers 15-7 in the extra 5 minutes.

Deron Williams had 29 points and 14 assists, while Carlos Boozer scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half and grabbed 12 rebounds. Mehmet Okur added 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Kirilenko finished with 15 points and five blocks -- stuffing Bryant twice as the Lakers tried to rally in overtime.

Bryant finished with 33 points and 10 assists.

Game 5 is Wednesday in Los Angeles.

Utah was 40-for-76 (53 percent) and had a huge advantage at the foul line, making 37 of 45 free throws. The Lakers got only 25 attempts from the line and missed 11 of them. The Jazz reserves also dominated the Lakers', outscoring them 39-16.

Los Angeles rallied from a 12-point deficit in the final four minutes to force overtime. Derek Fisher scored 10 straight for the Lakers and blocked a shot by Williams just before the end of regulation with the score tied at 108.

The Lakers struggled in overtime and didn't score until a layup by Bryant with 1:10 remaining cut Utah's lead to 112-110. Los Angeles almost forced the Jazz into a shot clock violation before Kyle Korver got off a shot from the corner just in time. The ball bounced off the rim right to Okur, who passed it back outside to Williams, and Utah was able to burn some time before Williams slipped a pass to Kirilenko, who dunked it while getting fouled by Lamar Odom.

Kirilenko made the free throw to put Utah up by five and the Jazz hit the rest of their free throws to clinch it.

Odom had 26 points and 13 rebounds, and Pau Gasol scored 23 and pulled down 10 boards. Fisher finished with 15 points, but no assists and got in early foul trouble.

Utah backup guard Ronnie Price also had a big game, despite finishing with four points and two assists. Price had to get four stitches for a cut over his right eye after he was flagrantly fouled early in the second quarter by Ronny Turiaf, who was ejected.

Turiaf came down hard with his left arm and Price went straight down and his head bounced on the court. Price leaped right up as his teammates swarmed the officials and pushed for the flagrant call. He got stitches in the locker room and came back in the second half with one of the plays of the game.

Luke Walton had a clear path for a layup or dunk after a missed 3-pointer by Price, who caught him from behind and blocked the shot midway through the fourth to keep Utah's lead at 92-84.

Notes: Three stars from "High School Musical" signed a ball during a timeout in the second quarter. The runaway hit movie's third installment is being filmed at East High School. ... Paul Millsap put Utah up 31-21 with one second left in the first quarter, then intercepted the Lakers' inbounds pass. ... The Lakers opened the game 4-for-14 from the floor, then went 12-for-17 in the second quarter and caught up to the Jazz just before halftime after trailing by 11.

[Associated Press; By DOUG ALDEN]

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.