Even before tip-off on Thursday night when the Utah Jazz hosted the Los Angeles Lakers, a different kind of energy radiated from EnergySolutions Arena. Jazz fans hoped their team would continue their home winning streak and set a franchise record of 20 consecutive wins, while Laker fans wanted Kobe Bryant and company to smash their hopes of continuing the streak.

The Jazz never held the lead during their 105-95 loss, which started with a three-point jump shot from former Jazz guard Derek Fisher. That initial momentum got the Lakers up, running and never looking back. L.A. led 38-18 at the end of the first quarter and was up by 24 points with 7:47 left in the second quarter.

The Lakers were without Pau Gasol, who sat out the game due to a sprained ankle. But, that did not seem to matter as Bryant went 11 of 24 from the field finishing with 27 points. Five other Lakers finished in double figures: Lamar Odom (21), Vladimir Radmanovic (13), Fisher (11), Jordan Farmar (11) and Sasha Vujacic (11).

There was a point during the third quarter when it was clear Jazz guard Deron Williams, who finished with 26 points and 12 assists, tried feverishly to get his team back within striking distance. The Jazz were down 73-56 with 6:22 left in the third when Fisher fouled Williams and he knocked in both free throws.

After a lay-up by Odom, Williams went in for a driving lay-up on the other end, Andrei Kirilenko stole the ball on a bad pass from Bryant, dished it to Ronnie Brewer then Kirilenko went back up for a shot. When Fisher missed a three-point attempt, Williams drove to the basket laying in another two points and tightening the score to 64-75.

Despite the momentum swinging back toward the Jazz, they couldn't close the gap any tighter and Bryant wasn't about to let the Lakers lose their lead. During the first quarter, the Jazz shot only 40 percent from the floor while the Lakers went 15 of 20.

"They went out and buried us," said Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan. "They shot in our face, they defended us, they did everything that was possible in the first half."

Everything included having a slew of Laker fans who overpowered boos the Jazz fans yelled at Fisher and Bryant as they were announced prior to tip-off or even any time they touched the ball. As the game began to wrap up and Jazz fans felt defeat they haven't felt since their last loss at EnergySolutions on Dec. 29 to Boston, Bryant encouraged the cheers from his adoring fans. The game was not only heated on the court, but in the stands surrounding it. A handful of fans -- both Jazz and Lakers -- were thrown out due to unsportsmanlike conduct.

The Jazz beat the Seattle Super Sonics Saturday night 115-101 looking to start their home win streak up again. They will take on the Charlotte Bobcats in Salt Lake City tonight at 7.

Contact Missy Thompson: missy@tooeletranscript.com