SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Kobe Bryant scored 39 points Thursday night, but it was his clutch play on the defensive end in the final minute that helped save a 105-101 victory for the Los Angeles Lakers over the Utah Jazz.
With Shaquille O'Neal on the bench after fouling out, Bryant blocked a shot by Karl Malone with 20 seconds remaining as the Lakers held on.
Los Angeles appeared to be in control, taking a 98-87 lead on O'Neal's basket with 3:27 remaining.
But O'Neal, who scored 31 points, fouled out with 1:47 left and Malone hit a pair from the line to bring Utah within 98-93.
After Lakers forward Robert Horry hit one of two free throws, Donyell Marshall's layup pulled Utah within four points.
Bryant missed a pair from the line, but then made up for it on the defense end by rejecting Malone's driving layup.
Utah closed to within 103-101 on Marshall's three-point play with four seconds left, but Bryant made two from the line with a second remaining to clinch the win.
John Stockton scored 19 points and Malone added 16 for the Jazz.
