NBA preseason: LA Lakers 94, Utah 79
(AP) Updated: 2006-10-11 15:26
FRESNO, Calif. -- Lamar Odom scored 18 points to lead five players in double
figures and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Utah Jazz 94-79 on Tuesday night in
the preseason opener for both teams.
Sasha Vujacic and Smush Parker each had 13 points for Los Angeles, which
played without guard Kobe Bryant, who rested an injured knee, and center Chris
Mihm, who has an ankle problem.
Lakers coach Phil Jackson, still recovering from hip replacement surgery,
also didn't make the trip to Fresno's Save Mart Center. Assistant coach Kurt
Rambis filled in for Jackson.
Carlos Boozer had 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Jazz, while Deron
Williams added 16 points. Hiram Fuller, who played at Fresno State, was in
Utah's starting lineup in front of nearly 10,000 fans.
After Gordan Giricek's reverse layup cut Los Angeles' lead to 75-70 with 7:39
remaining, the Lakers put the game away with a 12-0 run with Maurice Evans
scoring nine points during the surge.
The Lakers led 44-41 at halftime thanks to a late second-quarter rally
sparked by Vujacic.
The third-year guard from Slovenia scored off an assist from Kwame Brown to
tie the game, then immediately stole the ball from Jazz rookie Ronnie Brewer.
Vujacic ran the break and found Ronnie Turiaf for a dunk, giving the Lakers a
41-39 lead.
Vujacic's 3-pointer with 41 seconds left then put the Lakers ahead at
halftime.
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