The Los Angeles Lakers will host the Utah Jazz in their second game of the regular season. Here are four players to watch for in the game tonight.
The Los Angeles Lakers 2019-20 season didn’t get off on the right foot as many fans had hoped for. The Lakers lose their season opener against the LA Clippers, 112-102. The arena was buzzing with excitement as the two LA teams battled it out for the first of four matchups this season.
While the outcome of that game was disappointing, the Lakers will look to get on track tonight and get into the win column for the first time this season. It will not be an easy game, as they will be hosting the Utah Jazz at the STAPLES Center.
Utah won their first game of the season, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 100-95, at Vivint Smart Home Arena. As always, the Jazz is a stingy team defensively, but this offseason, they went all-in to try and push the team over the top.
With a great foundation with Donovan Mitchell, Joe Ingles and Rudy Gobert already in place, the Jazz went out and signed Bojan Bogdanovic to help spread the floor and add some much-needed offensive punch.
Their biggest acquisition, however, was acquiring Mike Conley from the Memphis Grizzlies. Conley will help take some of the ballhandling and playmaking responsibilities off of Donovan while giving the team a steady, veteran presence at point guard. While Ricky Rubio was solid, Conley is a big upgrade given his ability to space the floor as a 3-point shooter and score.
Los Angeles will have their hands full tonight as Utah is out to prove they belong among the elite when people discuss potential NBA Championship contenders. A good performance tonight against another title favorite would go along way.
If the Lakers are to pick up their first win of the season, these players will need to step their game up.