The Los Angeles Lakers earned their second preseason win after battling back from 22 points down to take out the Utah Jazz. The Lakers improve to 2-3 in preseason action, and the Jazz drop to 4-2.
The Utah Jazz blew out the Lakers a few days ago by 33 points, and it looked like they were about to do the same on Sunday evening. The Jazz hammered the Lakers in the first quarter on 67 percent shooting from the floor and took a 12-point lead at the end of the period.
The hampering resumed in the second period as the Jazz took a 22-point lead with less than two minutes remaining in the second half. Rudy Gobert was controlling the paint throughout the second quarter as he blocked four shots.
However, the Lakers went on a huge 31-5 run to climb all the way back and capture a four-point lead midway through the third quarter. All the momentum was shifting to Los Angeles. Led by Ronnie Price’s energetic defense, the Lakers forced the Jazz to commit 11 turnovers in the third. The Lakers still found themselves down by three headed to the fourth quarter.
The Jazz did not play Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward in the second half. In addition, they gave Trey Burke the night off. Dante Exum started in his place.
In the fourth quarter, the Lakers received nice production from Julius Randle and Ed Davis. The two scored all eight of their points in the final period. It seemed like the Lakers wanted to win this game badly as they inserted Kobe back into the game with a little over six minutes remaining. The Lakers were able to close out the game and win 98-91.
The Lakers were led by Kobe Bryant, who scored 26 points and dished out five assists on 7-for-22 shooting. Ronnie Price garnered the energy in this one, especially on the defensive end. He only had six points, but added 10 assists, four steals, a block, and drew two offensive fouls late in the game. Price is on a non-guaranteed contract, but it is safe to say that he has earned himself a roster spot. Carlos Boozer had an impressive night as well, scoring 19 points, snatching nine rebounds, and six steals. He shot 50 percent from the field.
For the Jazz, Alec Burks, who missed the previous three games, returned and scored a team-high 21 points to go along with six boards, but also six turnovers. Enes Kanter put in 14 points and seven rebounds in 38 minutes of play. Rudy Gobert finished with eight points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks in this one.
The Jazz were extremely sloppy, mainly in the second half, as they had a total of 29 turnovers. The Lakers were not too good as well with 16 giveaways. The turnovers determined the outcome of the game because the Jazz were actually shooting well from the field, going 32-of-66, which is good for 48.5 percent. The Lakers only shot 40.0 percent.
Kobe had this to say after the game. “We’re going to be smashmouth basketball. That’s just how we’re going to play. It’s going to be nasty, it’s going to be physical and it is what it is.”
The Lakers will see if they can keep up that smashmouth play against a tough Phoenix Suns team on Tuesday, October 21. Meanwhile, the Jazz will head to Oklahoma City to play the Thunder on Tuesday.