Lakers guard Kobe Bryant gets inside for a shot against Utah‘s C.J. Miles (34) and Paul Millsap (24) in the first half Monday night. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers center Andrew Bynum blocks a shot by Jazz forward Paul Millsap in the first half Monday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant tries to throw down a slam against Utah center Mehmet Okur and guard Ronnie Brewer in the first half Monday night. Bryant missed the shot but was fouled. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers forward Pau Gasol is pushed from behind by Jazz forward Matt Harpring while trying to get a rebound in the first half Monday night. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant goes airborne while looking to pass against the defense of the Jazz’s Carlos Boozer (left), Paul Millsap and Ronnie Brewer in the first half Monday night. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Jazz forward Carlos Boozer loses his balance after Lakers forward Pau Gasol fouled him in the first half Monday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant draws the attention of Utah‘s Brevin Knight (left), Paul Millsap and C.J. Miles (34) in the second half Monday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers forward Lamar Odom smacks Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko in the face as he tries to protect the ball from the double-team defense that includes Utah forward Paul Millsap. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic and Jazz guard Kyle Korver give chase to a loose ball in the first half Monday night. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant drives past Utah point guard Deron Williams for a layup Monday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic makes sure Jazz guard Ronnie Brewer won’t make a shot during Game 5 on Monday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Jack Nicholson gets a courtside visit from a tumbling Deron Williams of Utah during Game 5 on Monday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Jazz point guard Deron Williams leaps to make a pass over the defense of Lakers forward Lamar Odom during Game 5 on Monday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers forward Pau Gasol battles Jazz forward Paul Millsap for a rebound in the fourth quarter Monday night. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers forward Josh Powell pulls down a rebound before Utah forward Paul Millsap can get his hands on it during Game 5 on Monday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant elevates for a jumper over Utah guard Ronnie Brewer late in the game Monday night. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant heads back on defense after hitting a jump shot late in the fourth quarter to help seal the 107-96 victory over Utah on Monday night. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Jazz Coach Jerry Sloan has to be restrained after he was hit with two technical fouls and ejected from the game. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers forward Lamar Odom high-fives fans in the final seconds of a 107-96 victory over the Utah Jazz on Monday night at Staples Center. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Utah‘s Ronnie Brewer (9) and Carlos Boozer (center) watch from the bench as the Lakers close out the first-round series Monday night at Staples Center. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
