"That was an amazing quarter," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "We were able to apply some pressure, and they gave Deron a rest. They subsequently got tougher shots, 24-second violations, turnovers, and things happened for us. I think once that happened, it became like an avalanche."

The Lakers are one game away from completing an undefeated six-game homestand, which concludes Friday with a visit from Minnesota. Los Angeles' lofty record is little surprise after an exceptionally generous schedule featuring 17 of its first 21 games at home, but the Lakers are on the road for all but nine of the following next 28 games.

Most of the Lakers' victories have been easy, with the notable exception of last Friday's one-point win over Miami on Bryant's self-acknowledged lucky 3-pointer at the buzzer. Jackson felt a few close games would help his team's late-game execution later on, and they got another test of their tenacity against Utah - until the fourth quarter, that is.

"It's frustrating. We were in a lot of ballgames (against the Lakers), and we were in the ballgame again here," Williams said. "But they just have one big run where they go unconscious, and they did that again tonight. ... When Kobe starts hitting shots and other guys start warming up, it's tough to stop them. They've got a lot of weapons. It's the only way to look at it. I mean, they've got five guys on their team that can score 40 points."

Carlos Boozer had 11 points and 12 rebounds for the Jazz, failing to score at least 21 points for the first time in nine games. Utah rebounded from a loss to lowly Minnesota with a win over San Antonio on Monday, but its fourth-quarter woes in Los Angeles led to just the Jazz's third loss in 11 games.

Mehmet Okur and Miles scored 14 points apiece for Utah.

NOTES: The teams meet again on Saturday in Salt Lake City. ... Longtime Lakers player and assistant coach Kurt Rambis will face the Lakers on Friday night for the first time since taking over the Timberwolves. ... Denzel Washington, Jack Black, Emmanuelle Chriqui and poker players Daniel Negreanu and Phil Hellmuth were at courtside.