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Bryant, Lakers begin three-game homestand vs. Jazz

Nov 4, 2007 - 3:04 PM Utah (2-1) at LA Lakers (1-1) 9:30 pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers open a three-game homestand when the Utah Jazz come calling on Sunday.

The Lakers return to the Staples Center on a high note after watching five players score in double figures in Friday's 119-98 thrashing of the Phoenix Suns.

Bryant picked up his first double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds and third-year center Andrew Bynum added 14 and 13 to put the Lakers in the position to post consecutive wins.

Vladimir Radmanovic's 19-point performance should give Lakers coach Phil Jackson more confidence in the 6-10 forward, who missed the second half of last season after injuring his leg while snowboarding.

The Jazz are coming off a 133-110 triumph over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday in which Deron Williams scored 30 points. The win was the highest point total for Utah since the 1992 season.

Second-year guard Ronnie Brewer has really stepped up his game since coach Jerry Sloan placed him in the starting lineup this season. Brewer has reached double figures in each of his three starts, highlighted by 19 points in Saturday's win.

Los Angeles took two of three meetings from Utah a season ago with Bryant averaging 38.0 points and shooting 53 percent in the season series.