SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Jazz had plenty of chances to crumble and nearly did.
The Jazz let a 12-point lead slip away in the last four minutes Sunday and faced overtime against league MVP Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. Instead of wilting, Utah played its toughest defense of the playoffs and pulled out a 123-115 win, tying the Western Conference semifinals 2-2.
In overtime, the Jazz held the Lakers to two field goals and went 9-for-9 from the foul line while outscoring L.A. 15-7.
“We never have any doubts in our confidence,” said Utah’s Andrei Kirilenko, who blocked Bryant twice in overtime and converted a three-point play with 35 seconds remaining to help the Jazz pull away.
After opening the series with two losses in Los Angeles, the Jazz came home and answered with two wins. Game 5 is Wednesday in Los Angeles.
Utah’s 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. Kirilenko had 15 points and five blocks — four against Bryant.
Bryant, fighting back spasms most of the game, finished with 33 points and 10 assists. “No excuses for me. (Kirilenko) did a great job,” Bryant said.
Lamar Odom had 26 points and 13 rebounds for the Lakers, and Pau Gasol added 23 points and 10 boards.
In the second quarter, L.A.’s Ronny Turiaf was ejected for a flagrant foul on Ronnie Price that left the Jazz guard with a bloody gash over his right eye.
