Game Grades: Lakers Put Together Back-To-Back Wins In Utah

118. 100. 20. Final. 97

MVP: On a night when the Lakers had just two point guards on the roster and couldn’t afford a bad night from either, Jordan Clarkson played potentially his best game to-date in his career. He scored a career-high 22 points, but more importantly, in 34 minutes of action, he had just two turnovers. Great night from the rookie.

LVP: The Utah Jazz. Seriously, for pro-tankers, it was a near-perfect night. The Timberwolves won and the Lakers trailed entering the fourth quarter. A loss would move LA just a game back of the 3rd spot in the draft lottery. The Jazz then collapsed down the stretch, failed continuously to score in the closing moments, and handed the Lakers their 15th win of the year. Pro-tankers are fuming tonight. (Personally, I’m content with the fourth spot in the lottery, and I also think Minnesota is really hitting a groove now, so we have a chance to move into the 3rd spot, still).

Stat of the Night: 20-8, as in the amount of stocks the Lakers had as opposed to the Jazz. For those unaware of what stocks are (and to be fair, I stole it from Bill Simmons’ Book of Basketball), it’s just combined steals and blocks. The Lakers actually played some defense tonight and look what it got them!

The Starters

A. 38 min, 5-12 FG, 0-1 3P, 5-5 FT, 15 PTS, 10 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TOIt felt like <a rel=. SG. Los Angeles Lakers. WAYNE ELLINGTON

B-. 22 min, 5-13 FG, 4-7 FT, 14 PTS, 6 REB, 1 AST, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TOPretty decent night for <a rel=. PF. Los Angeles Lakers. CARLOS BOOZER

A. 34 min, 10-16 FG, 1-3 3P, 1-1 FT, 22 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TOClarkson’s development should be more than enough reason for pro-tankers to be content with victories down the stretch. He’s starting to look like a star.. PG. Los Angeles Lakers. JORDAN CLARKSON

D+. 21 min, 0-5 FG, 0-0 3P, 0-0 FT, 0 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO<a href=. PF. Los Angeles Lakers. RYAN KELLY

Los Angeles Lakers. ROBERT SACRE. C-. 21 min, 1-2 FG, 4-4 FT, 6 PTS, 0 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TODespite having a tough match-up against <a rel=. C

The Bench

Los Angeles Lakers. ED DAVIS. B+. 26 min, 6-8 FG, 0-0 FT, 12 PTS, 9 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 3 BLK, 0 TO<a rel=. PF

Los Angeles Lakers. JORDAN HILL. B-. 27 min, 7-12 FG, 2-2 FT, 16 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TOHis grade would have been higher, but his absolutely bone-headed foul late in the game nearly cost the Lakers the game.. C

Los Angeles Lakers. JEREMY LIN. C+. 24 min, 3-12 FG, 0-4 3P, 2-2 FT, 8 PTS, 2 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TOI had hoped we were past the days of <a rel=. PG

27 min, 3-9 FG, 1-3 3P, 0-0 FT, 7 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 2 BLK, 0 TO<a rel=. SF. Los Angeles Lakers. WESLEY JOHNSON. C

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