INQUIRER Sports

LOS ANGELES -- Kobe Bryant accepted his Most Valuable Player trophy in front of adoring fans Wednesday, then poured in 34 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 120-110 victory over Utah in the National Basketball Association playoffs.

Lamar Odom added 19 and 16 rebounds as the Lakers took a 2-0 lead over the Jazz in their best-of-seven Western Conference second-round series.

The Lakers also remained unbeaten this postseason as they look ahead go game three in Salt Lake City on Friday.

Derek Fisher scored 22 points and Pau Gasol chipped in 20 with five blocks for the Lakers, who shot 57 percent (39-of-68) from the field.

Deron Williams recorded 25 points and 10 assists for his first double-double of the playoffs for the Jazz, who had seven players score in double figures.