Lakers top Jazz to snap four-game skid

Los Angeles, CA, United States (4E Sports) – The Los Angeles Lakers pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat the Utah Jazz 102-84 and snap a four-game skid Friday.

Metta World Peace hit five 3-pointers toward 17 points, Dwight Howard had 17 points and 13 rebounds, Steve Nash scored 15, Pau Gasol added 15 points and Kobe Bryant had 14 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds for the Lakers first win over the Jazz in three meetings this season.

Howard showed no ill effects of an aggravated right shoulder from the start, scoring six points in a 15-4 spurt that opened the game and gave the Lakers the lead for good.

Bryant distributed the ball well, giving his teammates a chance to score and taking some pressure off Nash, who had just two assists in nearly 30 minutes.

The Lakers led by 12 early in the third before Utah closed to 61-58. Chris Duhon and World Peace combined for three 3-pointers and Jodie Meeks dunked to keep them ahead 72-63 going into the fourth.

Utah cut its deficit to 78-69 early in the fourth before World Peace hit his fifth 3-pointer and Bryant scored four points during a 14-5 spurt that pushed Los Angeles’ lead to 92-74.

Derrick Favors led the Jazz with 14 points off the bench. Fellow reserve Gordon Hayward scored 13 and Al Jefferson had 12. Paul Millsap and Randy Foye added 10 points each. Utah had won six of its previous seven.

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