NBA: LA Lakers 119, Utah 109

LOS ANGELES, April 22 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles Lakers scored 41 points in the first quarter Tuesday and went on to down the Utah Jazz 119-109 in the Western Conference quarterfinals.

Kobe Bryant picked up the burden in the second half by scoring 18 of his 26 points in the final two quarters as the Lakers, who lead the series 2-0, out-shot Portland 60 percent to 49.4 percent for the entire game.

Pau Gasol scored 22 points for the Lakers and Lamar Odom added 19 off the bench.

Utah had 35 points and nine assists from Deron Williams. Carlos Boozer scored 20 and had 10 rebounds.

The Lakers led by as many as 20 points during the game and beat the Jazz at Staples Center for the 11th consecutive time.