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Greg Wrubell reporting
20 years ago the up-and-coming Jazz played the Lakers in a stirring best of seven series. A series the Lakers won thanks in part to their homecourt advantage. It's Jazz and Lakers again. Instead of the Forum its Staples Center and instead of Kareem... it's Kobe. Kobe Bryant getting his first NBA MVP trophy before the game and he showed why he was handed the hardware. Kobe made 11 of his 18 shots, 34 points on the night. Jazz trailed practically all night. With Boozer in foul trouble Paul Millsap was the Jazz' inside man, 17 points 10 boards. D-Will held to 3 points in the 1st half scored 22 after the break. His late surge not enough to carry the Jazz over the hump Lakers win 120-110. Phil Jackson's teams have never lost a playoff saeries after going up one-zip let alone 2-oh. And the Jazz have never won a confernece semfinal after going down 2 games to none.
