Kobe Bryant scored 40 points, but it was Trevor Ariza deserved the credit for saving the Los Angeles Lakers from defeat against the Utah Jazz last night (Friday, Jan. 2)
Ariza came up with two of his season-high five steals in the last 2:22 and scored two fast-break baskets to help the Lakers beat the Utah Jazz 113-100 Friday night for their fifth straight win and 17th in 18 home games.
”Two plays in a row Trevor changed the game,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. ”He anticipates well. He’s a cobra out there and he just strikes.”
Ariza had a dazzling 19-second stretch in which he swiped the ball, scored on a fast-break driving layup, got fouled, got another steal and scored on a layup. With 34 seconds left, he dunked on a fast break off a pass from Pau Gasol .
Ariza finished with 12 points, nine rebounds and the five steals.
Gasol added 21 points, giving him 10,001 for his career, and had 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who were coming off a four-day break.
Mehmet Okur had 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Jazz, who have lost four of their last six and three in a row on the road, where they are 7-11. Ronnie Brewer added 20 points, and Deron Williams had 10 points and 12 assists.
Bryant was 12-of-14 at the line and the Lakers were 32-of-42 overall.
Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report.