Lakers vs Jazz Preview: Will the Fight Persist?

The Lakers will look to remain competitive again in STAPLES as the Jazz come to play

The Los Angeles Lakers have lost three-straight after going on their three-game winning streak. However, it’s not been as bad as many of the other Lakers’ losing streaks have been through the first 38 games of the regular season. In fact, it’s hard to come away from LA’s last two games and not be at least slightly optimistic about the team heading into Sunday night’s matchup in STAPLES Center with the Utah Jazz.

While the Golden State Warriors trounced the Lakers to start the streak, the past two games for Los Angeles have seen them nearly complete an incredible comeback against the Sacramento Kings before putting up one of their most spirited efforts of the entire season against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Julius Randle has continued to struggle over this little stretch of competency for the Lakers and rookie point guard D’Angelo Russell succumbed to an ankle injury after a marvelous effort against the Kings (though he did try to play on it against OKC). However, the veterans such as a now-back-in-the-lineup Kobe Bryant and Lou Williams have really been shouldering the load for this team as of late.

It’s worth noting, though, that the Jazz come into this matchup against the Lakers with a plethora of injuries of their own. They lost point guard Dante Exum in the preseason to a torn ACL and have sense seen virtually everyone not named Gordon Hayward miss a substantial amount of time. Though there are still big injuries, Utah will at least have Rudy Gobert back in the fold after he returned a few games back and that could really be key for the Jazz against this Lakers team.

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Jordan Clarkson, Williams, and Kobe have a tendency to get a bit content with settling for outside jumpers rather than trying to attack the paint. With Gobert and even Jeff Withey‘s shot blocking for Utah, that seems like it could be a deterrent for the Lakers guards to attack the rim and ultimately settle for outside shot. Moreover, Hayward has a severe advantage on the offensive end in that he should be able to attack however he pleases.

That being said, the Lakers guards should be able to get open looks at the rim as the Jazz backcourt is severely depleted and, though frustrating at times, the backcourt in LA has notable talent. If they can not settle and look to get open shots, those looks should be there for the Lakers perimeter players.

This game could go a number of ways with so many injuries on both sides of the ball. But what stands is the fact that all fans should want from this contest is for the team to continue showing the same type of fight that they have as of late. If that happens, either a win or a loss are livable.

Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers

Date: Sunday, Jan. 10
Start Time: 6:30 p.m. PT
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Arena: STAPLES Center
TV Info: TWC Sportsnet
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Radio: Here

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Jazz -2.5
Moneyline: Jazz -140, Lakers +120
O/U: 192.5

Injury Report

Los Angeles Lakers: D’Angelo Russell (ankle)—Out, Brandon Bass (eye)—Doubtful, Kobe Bryant (shoulder)—Questionable, will play

Utah Jazz: Dante Exum (knee)—Out, Alec Burks (leg)—Out, Derrick Favors (back)—Questionable, Rodney Hood (ankle)–Questionable

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Prediction

The Jazz and Lakers are both hobbled coming into this game, but I’m just not high on the idea of Gordon Hayward attacking this Lakers defense or the thought of the Lakers trying to do anything on the interior now that Rudy Gobert is back in the fold for Utah. I have the Jazz squeaking by and picking up the victory in this one.

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