From the ArcaMax Publishing, Sports Update Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/sports/s-349041-833315
SALT LAKE CITY (UPI) -- Kobe Bryant hit two of Los Angeles' five
clutch free throws down the stretch Friday that allowed the Lakers to
eliminate Utah from the playoffs 108-105.
The Jazz trailed by double digits most of the night, but came back to
have two shots at tying the game in the final three seconds. The
three-point attempts by Mehmet Okur and Deron Williams, however,
bounced off the rim, putting the Lakers into the Western Conference
Finals.
Los Angeles knocked Utah out in six games and will await the winner of
the San Antonio-New Orleans series.
Bryant scored 34 points and a quick Lakers start seemed likely to send
them to an easy triumph. Utah trailed by 19 points at the half and
still faced a 16-point deficit entering the fourth quarter.
The Jazz got within three before Lamar Odom hit two foul shots for the
Lakers with 19.4 seconds left. Utah then closed within two, only to
have Bryant make two free throws with 15.5 seconds to play.
Again Utah got within two and this time, Derek Fisher made just one
free throw, giving the Jazz a brief chance to send it to overtime.
Williams led Utah with 21 points.