Sports Briefs

May 12, 2008 10:05 am

— Utah evens series with Lakers
SALT LAKE CITY — Andrei Kirilenko blocked Kobe Bryant twice in overtime and converted a three-point play with 35 seconds remaining as the Utah Jazz beat the Los Angeles Lakers 123-115 on Sunday, tying the Western Conference semifinals at 2-2.
Deron Williams had 29 points and 14 assists, while Carlos Boozer scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half and grabbed 12 rebounds. Mehmet Okur added 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Kirilenko finished with 15 points and five blocks — stuffing Bryant twice as the Lakers tried to rally in overtime.
Bryant finished with 33 points and 10 assists. Lamar Odom had 26 points and 13 rebounds, and Pau Gasol scored 23 and pulled down 10 boards.
Game 5 is Wednesday in Los Angeles.
Spurs pull even with Hornets
SAN ANTONIO — Tim Duncan had 22 points and 15 rebounds, and San Antonio beat New Orleans to even the Western Conference semifinals at 2-2.
Tony Parker added 21 points for the Spurs, who led nearly the entire game and are assured of a Game 6 back in San Antonio. Chris Paul scored 23 for the Hornets, who trailed by as many as 27.
Game 5 is Tuesday in New Orleans.
Sergio ends drought; wins TPC
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Sergio Garcia, the best player without a major, got the next best thing.
Garcia ended the longest victory drought of his career by making a clutch par putt to force a playoff and hitting the island-green 17th on the first extra hole to defeat Paul Goydos in The Players Championship.
Haunted by putting problems that kept him without a victory the past three years and 53 PGA Tour events, Garcia came up with a 45-foot birdie on the 14th to get back in the game and a 7-foot par putt on the 18th hole for a 1-under 71.
Goydos, playing in the final group, missed a 15-foot par putt on the last hole for the win. He closed with a 74.
— From Staff and
Wire Reports