Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz Pregame Analysis

by Alma Bean Feature Image by Rick Egan of The Salt Lake Tribune The Utah Jazz (20-20) takes on the Los Angeles Lakers (19-20) on a SEGABABA as they look to be over .500 for the first time this season. What to Look For Los Angeles is coming into Salt Lake City looking to get…

Alma Bean

January 13, 2024

2–3 minutes

Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, Brice Sensabaugh, Cam Reddish, Christian Wood, Collin Sexton, D'Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, Jason Preston, John Collins, Johnny Juzang, Jordan Clarkson, Kris Dunn, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Micah Potter, NBA, Simone Fontecchio, Taylor Hendricks, Toronto raptors, Utah Jazz, Walker Kessler

by Alma Bean

Feature Image by Rick Egan of The Salt Lake Tribune

The Utah Jazz (20-20) takes on the Los Angeles Lakers (19-20) on a SEGABABA as they look to be over .500 for the first time this season.

What to Look For

Los Angeles is coming into Salt Lake City looking to get back to .500 after losing five of their last seven games. Utah, even on a SEGABABA, isn’t looking to slow down their roll as they’re in pursuit of a five-game winning streak. The defensive adjustment of bringing Kris Dunn and Simone Fontecchio and John Collins stretching the floor as a small ball center for the starting unit has left many teams puzzled. Even having the likes of Walker Kessler showing off his defensive presence with the bench unit has left a lot of teams having to change their gameplans on the fly as their paint presence is negated. Given the scroll of names that are on Los Angeles’ injury report, this may be a game that Utah could steal early leaving major playoff implications down the road.

Key of the Game

Free throws. Since the new calendar year, Los Angeles has been averaging 25.6 free throw attempts per game with one of the games they had 36 attempts. Los Angeles is averaging 24.4 free throw attempts per game with a 76.8 percent of those shots going in. Just like Utah’s previous game against the Toronto Raptors on Friday night, Utah tends to go to the line less than their opponents but capitalize on their opportunities making 81.8 percent of their free throws. Utah will be reliant on their score first guards Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton to get to the line where Utah should try and keep Austin Reaves away from the line as all three players shoot over 80 percent from the free throw line.

Injury Report

Los Angeles – Anthony Davis (ankle) Probable, LeBron James (ankle) Questionable, Cam Reddish (knee) Questionable, D’Angelo Russell (knee) Questionable, Gabe Vincent (knee) Out, Christian Wood (illness) Probable

Utah – Taylor Hendricks (G League) Out, Johnny Juzang (G League) Out, Micah Potter (G League) Out, Jason Preston (G League) Out, Brice Sensabaugh (G League) Out

Where to Watch

Tip-off will be at 7:30 p.m. MST on KJZZ and Jazz+.

Author

Written by

Alma Bean

I am currently a student at the University of Utah working toward my second bachelor’s degree, this time in communication with an emphasis in journalism. I currently have a bachelor’s degree in music from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida. As I pursue a degree in communication, I dream to bring this emphasis of journalism to the world of sports. When I’m not writing, I allow my inner basketball fan to come out as I watch previous games and highlights across the NBA to become a walking, talking sports almanac.

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