LAKERS MAKE IT LOOK EASY IN OPENER

The Lakers handled business vs the Jazz in the teams' playoff opener last night. Kobe Bryant scored 24 points, Trevor Ariza added 21(Not to mention a sick dunk too) and Pau Gasol 20 as the Lakers pretty much had their way against the eighth-seeded Jazz. They led by 22 points at halftime and then answered resoundingly both times Utah got within nine in the second half. The outcome is all that matters, a 113-100 victory over the Jazz in the teams' playoff opener Sunday.