Los Angeles – After winning two straight home games, including one last night, the Utah Jazz traveled to the city of angels to face the Kobe-less LA Lakers who had loss six in a row, including three at home.
LA played a dominant first quarter holding the Jazz to a mere 12 points while scoring 30 and holding a 12 point lead by half time. Pau Gasol for LA Lakers made 23 points, 17 rebounds and 8 assists, a near triple double. Second year guard Kendall Marshall had 20 points and an impressive 15 assists.
Utah struggled early on and throughout most the game though it was another strong night for the ever steady Gordon Hayward scoring 22 points and 3 rebounds. Center Enes Kanter supplied aid off the bench with 16 points and 10 rebounds while forward Richard Jefferson, amidst trade rumors with Cleveland for Andrew Bynum, added 16.
The Jazz rallied late in the fourth cutting the score to 94-90 on a Trey Burke basket with a little over 2 minutes left in the game. But that was the closest they’d get and could not complete the comeback falling by 11 by the end of regulation. LA snaps their losing streak and move to 14-19. Jazz (11-25) play again Tuesday at home against Oklahoma City.