The Los Angeles Lakers stormed to a 120-110 victory that gave them a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven Western Conference series.

The Lakers took advantage of a rousing start in outscoring the visitors 33-18 in the first quarter.

"We never got to the point where we felt threatened," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said, although Utah got within 99-94 with about five and half minutes left.

"The offense was going well. We were doing the things we wanted to do."

Newly-crowned league MVP Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 34 points. Utah guard Deron Williams was top scorer for the Jazz with 25 points.

Reuters