This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Kobe Bryant made two free throws with 0.7 seconds remaining in overtime to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 90-87 win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night at EnergySolutions Arena.

The Jazz had a chance to tie the game, but Bryant blocked Devin Harris' last-ditch shot at the buzzer.

It was a much better defensive effort for the Jazz against the Lakers than the opening night debacle at the Staples Center.

But Bryant is arguably the best player in the game. He scored a game-high 40 points, one night after he torched the Phoenix Suns for 48. He consistently got points whenever the Lakers needed them and he did so with the flair that's made him one of the NBA's most entertaining players for so long.

Join The Salt Lake Tribune's in-game live chat • sltrib.com/sports

Lakers/Jazz preview • bit.ly/z3SM53

Lakers/Jazz matchup • bit.ly/yonUaG