Lakers take game 1 from Jazz, 104-99

The Lakers gave up the lead late in the fourth period, but Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom and Kobe Bryant turned on the jets and got it back. Gasol finished with 25 points, 12 rebounds and five blocked shots. Bryant had 31 points, including some crucial free throws at the end. Phil Jackson-coached teams have never lost a playoff series where they won the first game, according to a TV graphic.

Also: LeBron James won the NBA's most valuable player award. Bryant finished third, with no first-place votes.