Featured Image: Photo by Stephen Maturen of Getty Images
by Alma Bean
The Utah Jazz (6-3) travel to California to take on the Los Angeles Lakers (2-5.) This is their second game of a three-game road trip.
What to look for
The Lakers are currently on a two-game win streak after having the worst record in the NBA to start the season. For LeBron James, this was the first time in his 20-year career that he played for a team that owned the worst record in the league. James just shy of a triple double (20/10/8) helped lead the Lakers to a 120-117 OT win against the New Orleans Pelicans. Overtime was created by an amazing three-point buzzer beater by Matt Ryan. With Russell Westbrook coming off the bench, this might serve as a problem for Utah.
Utah, after suffering a close lose against Dallas on Wednesday, will be looking to bounce back. Now that Rudy Gay and Walker Kessler have returned from their separate illnesses, Utah will be looking to utilize them back in their roles. Utah’s losses have all came on the road. With an away record of 2-3, the Jazz might have a disadvantage going into the matchup.
Deciding factors going into this matchup will be perimeter shooting and overall points. Utah is currently ranked in the top ten in scoring (115.6 ppg) where the Lakers are near the bottom of the league (107.4 ppg). Perimeter shooting has not been the best for either team, but for the Lakers to be ranked last in the league at 26.7 percent to Utah’s 36.1 percent, expect more drives for both teams.
Injury Report
Los Angeles- LeBron James: Probable (foot), Anthony Davis: Questionable (back), Thomas Bryant: Out (UCL), Dennis Schroder: Out (UCL), Scotty Pippen Jr.: Out (G League), Cole Swider: Out (G League)
Utah- Simone Fontecchio: Questionable (competition reconditioning), Leandro Bolmaro: Out (health & safety protocol), Micah Potter: Out (G League)
Where to Watch
Tonight’s tip-off between Los Angeles and Utah will be at 8:30 p.m. MT on AT&T SportsNet.