The Los Angeles Lakers have been in high spirits here lately, with a big-time trade for Luka Doncic, and are on a six-game winning streak. The Lakers have won the last 10 of 11 games and sit atop the Pacific division. On Wednesday night, the Lakers played the Utah Jazz on their home court at the Delta Center. The Lakers and Jazz also played on Monday night in L.A. when Doncic made his Laker debut. In that game, Doncic would score 14 points in 24 minutes, and the Lakers would win 132-113. Could the Jazz get some payback after getting demolished at Crypto Arena?
The Los Angeles Lakers are 3-0 against the Utah Jazz in the regular season. The Utah Jazz are 2-8 in their last 10 games. In the previous game against the Lakers, the Jazz shot 46% from the field. LeBron James scored 24 points in 29 minutes and Austin Reaves shot 60% from the field, scoring 22 points that game. The Lakers also signed 7-footer Alex Len, waiving Forward/Center Christian Woods on February 11. Would the Lakers advance their winning streak to seven and sweep the Jazz for the regular season?
Lakers Lose Tune To Jazz
The Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz played back-and-forth in the first quarter, with the score tied five times. Doncic would go 1-of-4 from the three-point line and finish with five points by the end of the quarter. Lakers star LeBron James would shoot 1-of-2 from the three-point line and finish the quarter with two points. Lauri Markkanen, power forward for the Utah Jazz, would score 13 points in the first quarter, and the Jazz would end the quarter up 33-30.
The Utah Jazz would push the lead to seven in the first two minutes of the second quarter. Doncic and James would only combine for 15 points in the second quarter. The Los Angeles Lakers shot 4-of-6 from the field and 4-of-7 from three-point land. The Utah Jazz would end the first half leading 64-56. Jazz Guard Keyonte George scored seven points in the second quarter, and Marrkkanen would finish with 16 points at the half.
Doncic and James Take First L Together
The Jazz turned it up in the second half on the Los Angeles Lakers. Marrkkanen would go 3-of-3 from the three-point arch. James and Doncic would combine 2-of-7 from the three-point line. Jazz Guard Jordan Clarkson would go 3-of-5 from the field. Laker Austin Reaves, who has been very impressive during the Lakers winning streak, would score seven points in the third quarter. Reaves would finish the game with 15 points on 4-of-15 shooting from the field and 11 assists. The Utah Jazz would outscore the Lakers 40-30 in the third quarter.
The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Utah Jazz 131-119. James scored 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the field and added seven assists and six rebounds. Doncic scored 16 points, four assists, and four rebounds after 24 minutes of play. Lakers Forward Rui Hachimura was the leading scorer with 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field/ He also had three rebounds and three assists. Markkanen finished the night with 32 points, shooting 60% from the three-point line. The Los Angeles Lakers won the regular season series against the Jazz 3-1.
Final Thoughts
The Los Angeles Lakers have been on a serious roll. This loss should bring them down to earth, but the Lakers still need time to build their chemistry with Doncic on the roster. Doncic is still being limited in minutes as a precaution for his left calf. Coach J.J. Redick is also still finding ways to maximize the team’s play with the new players added to the roster.
I still believe the Los Angeles Lakers will be in the Western Conference Finals after the dust settles. The Lakers’ next game will be after the All-Star Weekend break when they will play the Charlotte Hornets at home on February 19.
