LOS ANGELES — The chants of "MVP, MVP" directed at Kobe Bryant by Los Angeles Lakers' fans have a different meaning now. They represent fact, not just sentiment.

Bryant played like a Most Valuable Player on Wednesday night, getting 34 points, eight rebounds and six assists, and the Lakers beat the Utah Jazz 120-110 to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals and remain the only unbeaten team in the postseason.

Bryant received his first MVP trophy from NBA commissioner David Stern in a brief ceremony before the game.

"I'm at a loss for words. I don't know what to say," Bryant said as the capacity crowd of 18,997 roared its approval. "I love you guys so much. We're going to play until June. Let's get this party started."

The 29-year-old Bryant was a runaway winner, receiving 82 first-place votes and 1,100 points to far outdistance New Orleans' Chris Paul in the voting of 126 media members. The results were announced Tuesday.

The Lakers made their first six shots, and after falling behind 13-12, Bryant scored six points during a 13-0 run that put them ahead for good.

"It's a great day for us today," said Lamar Odom, who had 19 points and 16 rebounds. "We want to protect our homecourt throughout the playoffs. We came here and did that. It was a big win for us."

The series shifts to Utah for Games 3 and 4 on Friday night and Sunday. The Jazz had an NBA-best 37-4 home record this season, but one of the losses was by 11 points to the Lakers on March 20.

In the only other NBA playoff game on Wednesday, Orlando beat Detroit 111-86.

Magic 111, Pistons 86

At Orlando, Fla., Rashard Lewis scored a career playoff-high 33 points and Orlando ended a nine-game postseason losing streak to Detroit with the Game 3 win in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Pistons All-Star point guard Chauncey Billups strained his right hamstring 4 minutes into the game and never returned. He will be re-evaluated Thursday and his status for Saturday's Game 4 in Orlando could be decided then.

Richard Hamilton scored 24 points and Tayshaun Prince had 22 for Detroit, which got within 73-69 at the end of three quarters only to see Orlando pull away again.