Lakers don't have Kobe's back
UTAH 123, LAKERS 115 (OT)
Bryant is injured early, misfires late, and Lakers fail to execute in overtime as Jazz wins to tie series, 2-2. Turiaf is ejected, and Utah's bench outscores L.A.'s, 39-16.
SALT LAKE CITY -- Kobe Bryant frowned and pulled out his newest acquisition, an electro-stimulation device that traveled along his aching back.
It was turned up a little too high for his comfort, another microcosmic jolt felt by the Lakers in their unexpectedly charged-up Western Conference semifinal against the Utah Jazz.
Bryant was walking gingerly and deliberately after Game 4, as were the Lakers on the whole, unable to stop the Jazz from tying the best-of-seven series with a 123-115 overtime victory at EnergySolutions Arena.
Game 5 is Wednesday at Staples Center, and the events of Sunday guaranteed a Game 6 in Utah.
Less of a sure thing would be a fully healthy Bryant, probably the last thing the Lakers wanted to ponder.
Bryant said he felt a "catch" in his back while attempting a 15-foot turnaround on the Lakers' second possession of the game. He is listed as day-to-day because of back spasms.
He scored 33 points against the Jazz and led a comeback in the fourth quarter with his passing (six assists), although he missed six of seven shots in overtime and five of six in the fourth quarter.
He has experienced the gamut of injuries in his 12-year career -- a torn labrum in his shoulder, a handful of knee issues, a torn finger ligament, plantar fasciitis in his foot -- but back problems are a rarity for him.
He briefly went down on the court twice Sunday because his back flared up, but said as he walked to the team bus that he would play in Game 5.
"You know it," he said.
The Lakers will need a functioning Bryant, obviously, in a series that swung in the other direction after they built a two-game lead.
Deron Williams carved them up with 29 points and 14 assists, and the Jazz exhibited team basketball with 32 assists on 40 field goals.
The Lakers had issues other than medical ones.
They made a woeful 14 of 25 free throws (56%) and saw their reserves badly outscored by those of the Jazz, 39-16.
On top of it, Ronny Turiaf was ejected because of a flagrant foul after sending Utah guard Ronnie Price crashing to the court on a drive with 10:07 to go in the second quarter. Price needed four stitches above his right eye, and Turiaf faces a possible suspension for Game 5, though it is unlikely.
It wasn't a pretty ending for the Lakers, who forced overtime thanks to a lively rally in the final minutes.
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