Lakers grind past Jazz for 2-0 lead

Kobe Bryant scored 30 points, Pau Gasol added 22 points and 15 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers methodically pounded the ball inside for a no-nonsense 111-103 victory over the visiting Utah Jazz on Tuesday night, taking a 2-0 lead in their second-round playoff series.

Andrew Bynum had 17 points and 14 rebounds for the defending NBA champions, who ruthlessly exploited their height advantage while maintaining a medium-sized lead throughout the second half of a disjointed, foul-choked game that lasted nearly three hours.

The Lakers didn't mind skipping showtime for a steady win that put them halfway to their third straight trip to the Western Conference finals. Los Angeles is 40-1 in franchise history after winning the first two games of a seven-game series.

For the third straight postseason, the Lakers have a 2-0 series lead over the Jazz after consecutive wins at Staples Center, where Utah has lost 16 straight games - including eight in the playoffs.

Paul Millsap had 26 points and 11 rebounds for Utah, which hosts Game 3 on Saturday night.

Magic 114, Hawks 71: Dwight Howard had 21 points and 12 rebounds and Orlando crushed visiting Atlanta in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal.

Howard added five blocks and avoided the fouls and frustration that overwhelmed him in the first round, helping the Magic go ahead by as many as 46 points. Vince Carter finished with 20 points as Orlando showed no signs of rust after an eight-day layoff.

Josh Smith scored 14 points for a Hawks team that had little playoff poise. Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Thursday night in Orlando.