Lakers vs Utah Jazz Preview and Prediction: Who Will Drop 60 Tonight?
The Lakers will get another crack at the Utah Jazz tonight at Staples Center after losing in their first meeting in the preseason 89-96.
What are the chances of getting injured just attending a Lakers game? It’s not completely out of the question.
The Lake Show currently has four inactive players on the roster, including two starters and two bench players. That’s not an injury bug, that’s an injury rodent. Jose Calderon is the latest victim of the Lakers’ injury woes. He joins D’Angelo Russell, Nick Young amd Larry Nance Jr. on the bench.
After losing a very winnable game on Saturday night, the Lakers have a chance to bounce back against one the better defensive teams in the league.
The Utah Jazz have a defensive rating of 101, compared to the LA’s 108.2. They also allow the fifth fewest points in the paint (40.1) and third fewest points off of turnovers. So yeah, Luke Walton has his work cut out for him tonight.
Los Angeles will be without their leading scorer from the last time they faced the Utah Jazz at Staples. If you have to think to yourself who that is, you’ve already lost.
More from Lakers News
- Darvin Ham adds to Max Christie hype train after Lakers preseason opener
- Is LeBron James playing tonight? Latest Lakers vs Warriors update
- Can Darvin Ham put all of the Lakers puzzle pieces together?
- Lakers news: Darvin Ham knows his fifth starter, LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino praise
- Michael Malone’s painfully ironic comment has Lakers fans heated
Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Date: Monday, Dec. 5
Start Time: 7:30 p.m. PST
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Arena: STAPLES Center
TV Info: Spectrum Sportsnet
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Radio: Here
Injury Report
Los Angeles Lakers: D’Angelo Russell – Knee (Out), Nick Young – Calf (Out), Jose Calderon – Hamstring (Out), Larry Nance Jr. – Knee (Questionable)
Utah Jazz: George Hill – Toe (Out), Derrick Favors – Knee (Out), Alec Burks – (Out)
Prediction
While the Jazz are missing two key guys, fans found out Saturday night how little that actually means. The Memphis Grizzlies were missing Mike Conley, Chandler Parsons, Vince Carter and Zach Randolph and the Lakers still managed to lose. How? Toney Douglas that’s how.
In addition, this is the first time this season Walton has really had to tinker with his line up. Usually the next guy in line is a natural fit, but with only 11 active players, there is no safe net for when players go down.
Candidates for the starting point guard position are Jordan Clarkson, Marcelo Huertas, Lou Williams and yes, Brandon Ingram. Williams will likely start, coming fresh off of his 40 point performance against the Grizzlies Saturday night, but with Luke Walton no one knows for sure.
The key to winning tonight’s game will be defense, defense and more defense. Utah have a number of guys that can score on the team, including Gordon Hayward, Rodney Hood and Joe Johnson. The Lake Show, due to their injuries, are limited to their guards and Julius Randle sometimes.
It’s going to be a long night, Los Angeles.
104. 118. 92. 20. Final
Next: Lakers After the Season's First Quarter
If you need a friend for tonight’s game, we’re always available on Twitter @TheLakeShowLife. Something tells me we’re going to need each other tonight.