Game 1: Ariza, Lakers Dominate Jazz

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz 113-100 in Game 1 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The Lakers kept a deep Utah offense in check for most of the game, entering the second half with a 22-point lead. LA finished with a .556 shooting percentage and 9 blocks, while the Jazz shot just .391 from the field. Utah remained in the game though, using 20 offensive rebounds to stay close. Kobe Bryant led LA with 24 points and 8 assists, and Trevor Ariza scored 21 points on 8-for-10 shooting, the most points Ariza has scored in the playoffs. Pau Gasol added 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots before fouling out late in the fourth quarter. Lamar Odom had 13 points and 8 rebounds off the bench, and Shannon Brown had 9 points on 3-for-3 shooting from 3-point range. Carlos Boozer led all scorers with 27 points for Utah, and Deron Williams added 16 points and 17 assists.