“He did a great job of creating opportunities for other people down the stretch,” Fisher said. “That’s what we got away from in overtime.”

Several members of the Jazz said they weren’t aware Bryant was hurting until after the game, and expect him to be at full strength in Game 5.

“If he puts on his uniform and plays, don’t worry about him being hurt,” Utah coach Jerry Sloan said Monday. “You’d better be ready to play the guy because he’s a great player and he’s got the ability to bury you in a lot of different ways. That’s what (great players) can do.”

Utah’s Carlos Boozer said he thought Bryant seemed OK when he had the possession of the ball.

“Kobe’s going to play,” Boozer said. “When he has the ball in his hands, he’s going to be the same guy he’s been. He has the same mentality. That’s the biggest thing about Kobe Bryant. He has the same mind-set no matter what’s ailing his body.

“I’m not worry about it,” Boozer told reporters in Salt Lake City. “You guys are. We’re going to prepare for him like he’s 100 percent.”

Said Deron Williams: “I think Kobe’s going to be Kobe when it comes Wednesday. I’m not going to expect anything else.”

Lakers coach Phil Jackson said he wasn’t concerned about Bryant.

“Yes and yes,” the coach replied when asked if he expected Bryant to play and be efficient in Game 5. “I have nothing to do with his recovery. I’ve got to prepare this team to play.”

When asked what he was thinking, Jackson replied: “How we’re going to remedy what happened in the last two games.”

The Jazz had an NBA-best 37-4 record at home during the regular season, but the Lakers rallied in both games before falling short.

“We’ve got a couple players that have to contribute,” Jackson said. “They have to work on their game and get their confidence back.”

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Jackson wouldn’t be more specific, but he could have been referring to starting forward Vladimir Radmanovic, who 4-for-13 for a total of 10 points in the two games in Utah, and backup guard Jordan Farmar, who went 0-for-8 in being blanked.

Meanwhile, Black said general manager Mitch Kupchak spoke Monday with NBA disciplinarian Stu Jackson about Lakers reserve Ronny Turiaf, who was ejected early in the second quarter for committing a flagrant foul against Utah’s Ronnie Price.

“We’ll be shocked if there’s a suspension,” Black said.

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