Kobe Bryant takes a breather [GALLO/GETTY]

Although the Lakers had a commanding 21-point advantage cut to six points late in the final quarter, they held firm to book their place in the next round against either the Houston Rockets or the Portland Trail Blazers.

Kobe Bryant clocked up a massive 31 points and Lamar Odom was inspirational for Los Angeles, weighing in with 26 points and 15 rebounds while Spanish forward Pau Gasol registered 17 points at a packed Staples Centre.

Paul Millsap, who sparked Utah's late fight back, top-scored for the visitors with 16 points after coming off the bench, while Andrei Kirilenko and Deron Williams each contributed 14.

Defensive weakness

"We played well offensively but we played spotty defence tonight," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said.

"I liked our defence for the first three quarters. We broke the game open but we didn't close the door.

"They started running the ball and Millsap got going.

"A couple of three-point plays ... that stopped everything and we just turned the ball over a couple of times to add to it.

"Ten-point bursts like that are really a momentum shift."

"I'd like to congratulate Utah on their season," Jackson added.

"I know it was a disappointment for them but they play hard and they play together.

"I thanked them for giving us a run and a good, hard series."

Odom and Trevor Ariza produced superb all-round displays early on but the Lakers also piled up several turnovers to end a fast-paced first quarter deadlocked with the Jazz at 26-26.

However, the momentum steadily shifted in favour of Los Angeles as they tightened their defence.

Utah's CJ Miles and Paul Millsap  watch the game slip away[GALLO/GETTY]

Roared on by a capacity crowd that included Hollywood actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Dustin Hoffman, Jack Nicholson and Will Ferrell, Bryant and his team mates built a 56-43 lead by half-time.

Late in the third quarter, Bryant produced a three-point jumper and then a clever assist for a Gasol dunk to put the Lakers up by 22 before they went into the final period leading 82-63.

A Bryant two-pointer early in the fourth quarter gave Los Angeles a 21-point cushion before the Jazz clawed their way back into the game with 13 unanswered points.

Millsap and Ronnie Price, who also came off the bench, provided the energy for the Jazz who ultimately fell short of taking the playoff into a sixth game.

"Sometimes the game goes topsy-turvy," Odom said.

"They're going to make runs and we've just got to try to hold them off for as long as possible and win the game.

"We knew this would be tough and we expected them to play tough. They're a great defensive team and a great system."

Utah coach Jerry Sloan applauded the Lakers, adding: "They did a great job in the playoffs, they've got a wonderful team and they should go a long way."

Gnarly Nuggets

In New Orleans, the Nuggets went on a scoring spree while holding Hornets top scorer Chris Paul to just four points.

"I don't think I've ever had a team play defence like that," Nuggets coach George Karl said.

Denver had a 36-15 lead after the first quarter and were in front 61-39 at the half.

Seven Nuggets, including Carmelo Anthony with 26 points, wound up in double figures.

"That's the worst game I've seen us play in the five years I've been here," Hornets coach Byron Scott said.

In Miami, Atlanta recorded their first road playoff win in 12 years.

The Hawks had not won away from home in the postseason since defeating Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls on May 8, 1997.

Mike Bibby led the way with 15 points and Georgian backup centre Zaza Pachulia provided a career playoff-high 18 rebounds and 12 points.

Miami's Dwyane Wade scored 22 points, making only nine of 26 field-goal attempts as he suffered from back spasms.