With Bryant hitting from all over the court during an 11 in-a-row streak that began late in the second quarter and extended through the third, the Jazz began fouling him almost every time he was even threatening to shoot.

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant grabs a loose ball during their NBA game against the Utah Jazz in Los Angeles November 30, 2006. [Reuters]

He was a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line in the third.

The 30-point quarter tied Bryant's own Lakers record set last season when he finished with 81 points against Toronto. George Gervin had 33 in a quarter for San Antonio in 1978.

Bryant, who topped the 50-point plateau for the 12th time in his career, finally missed when he drove and looped a shot that bounced off the back of the rim with 7:44 left in the game, shortly after he had returned to the floor with the Lakers up by 20.

Bryant finished 19-of-26 from the floor and 12-of-15 from the line in his highest scoring game since he had 81 against the Raptors on Jan. 22 last season. He led the NBA in scoring with a 35.4 average last season, but coming off knee surgery last summer was averaging 24.1 points this season going in against Utah.

The Jazz, led by Carlos Boozer's 26 points, seven rebounds and five assists, lost for the third time in the last four games. Their 13-4 record remains the league's best.

Deron Williams had 13 points and nine assists for Utah.

Lamar Odom had 14 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists for the Lakers, and reserve Maurice Evans added 17 points.

Bryant's third-quarter outburst had the fans chanting "MVP!" and gave the Lakers clear command with a 95-73 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

When he came off the floor for the final time in the fourth, coach Phil Jackson gave him a high five and a hug.

After a tight first quarter, Bryant made a pair of free throws to cap a 7-0 run for a 43-36 lead in the second after the Jazz got stuck on 36 for more than four minutes, ending when Andrei Kirilenko made one of two free throws 2:21 before halftime.

Los Angeles outscored Utah 24-14 in the quarter and was up 53-41 by halftime. Bryant scored 12 second-quarter points.

The Jazz, who went 6-of-20 from the floor, had only one player, Paul Millsap, score as many as three points in the period.

Evans' late layup gave the Lakers a 29-27 lead at the end of the opening period. Bryant had 10 points in the period and Boozer had eight.