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Los Angeles Lakers: Lonzo Ball takes blame for loss to Utah Jazz

By Kenneth Teape

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 27: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles upcourt during the second half of a game against the Toronto Raptors at Staples Center on October 27, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 27: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles upcourt during the second half of a game against the Toronto Raptors at Staples Center on October 27, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball took full responsibility for the loss to the Utah Jazz this weekend.

The Los Angeles Lakers had a tough game against the Utah Jazz over the weekend. The young Lakers squad witnessed first hand just how difficult it is to score against one of the top defenses in the NBA.

Utah hounded the Lakers all evening, making them work hard offensively. Their defensive game plan worked, as the Lakers struggled to get anything going on the offensive side of the ball. After scoring under 100 points against the Toronto Raptors in the previous game, the Lakers found it even more difficult to score against Utah.

Against the Jazz, the Lakers shot only 38.3 percent from the field. Their three-point shooting was even worse, as they made only 5-of-22 from deep, which came out to 22.7 percent.

Only Brandon Ingram and Jordan Clarkson scored in double-figures for Los Angeles, scoring 16 and 15 respectively. They were the only two of three players to make half their shot attempts as well; Josh Hart was the third.

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Despite the shooting struggles, the Lakers were hanging around for a majority of the game. They got as close as five points in the fourth quarter, but things could have gone differently had the Lakers finished out the third quarter in a better fashion.

Los Angeles had knocked the Jazz lead down to six points and were on a quick 5-0 run. Alec Burks would miss a three-point attempt, which was continuing to swing momentum in the Lakers’ favor.

However, they did not box out to finish the possession. Instead, Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell had a one-handed putback dunk that sent the crowd into a frenzy. The ensuing inbounds resulted in a turnover, which Mitchell converted into a three-pointer to push the lead back to 11 points heading into the fourth quarter.

The Lakers own rookie, Lonzo Ball, was responsible for both miscues. Ball took full responsibility for the mistakes he made, placing the Lakers loss on his own shoulders.

"“Put this loss on me,” Ball said. “We were coming back. Two dumb plays by me, and they got up.”“That was my fault,” Ball said of the Mitchell putback dunk, which Lakers coach Luke Walton said swung the momentum. “If you think about it, that kind of changed the whole course of the game. … I should have boxed him out. Then I threw the turnover.”"

Ball had a tough game against the Jazz. They limited his impact, as his shooting struggles continued and he was unable to make an impact rebounding or with his playmaking. Ball finished the game with nine points, two rebounds, four assists and two steals. The rebounds were a season low, while the assists tied a season low.

It was arguably the worst game that Ball has had in thus far in his rookie season. One positive was he got his outside shot going, as he made 3-for-6 from three-point land.

Next: Lakers vs Jazz: Recap and Highlights

Ball has shown his immense potential on an almost nightly basis. It will take some time to put it all together, but the tools are there. The game against the Jazz is a good learning experience for Ball and his young teammates to learn from.

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