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Deron Williams (left) scored 29 points with 14 assists for the Jazz. -- PHOTO: AFP
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SALT LAKE CITY (Utah) - THE Utah Jazz needed overtime to down the Lakers while the San Antonio Spurs rolled to a rout of New Orleans on Sunday to square both Western Conference series in the National Basketball Association playoffs.
Deron Williams scored 29 points with 14 assists for the Jazz, who blew a sizeable fourth-quarter lead but eked out the 123-115 overtime triumph over the Los Angeles Lakers to knot their best-of-seven second-round series at two games apiece.
Reigning NBA champions San Antonio then levelled their series against the New Orleans Hornets at 2-2 with a 100-80 home win.
Spurs superstar Tim Duncan collected 22 points and 15 rebounds and Tony Parker added 21 to send San Antonio into game five in New Orleans on Tuesday on even terms.
Chris Paul scored 23 points for the Hornets, who are unbeaten at home in the postseason.
In Salt Lake City, newly crowned NBA Most Valuable Player Kobe Bryant was clearly struggling much of the game with a sore back.
He scored 33 points but managed just eight in the fourth quarter and overtime for the Lakers, who host game five on Wednesday. - AFP
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