After a valiant effort in the loss against the defending NBA Champion Miami Heat on Christmas Day, the Lakers are on the road taking on the Utah Jazz, a team that has had a tough time winning at home this season. The Lakers will once again be without the services of Pau Gasol due to a respiratory infection that caused him to sit out in the loss against the Golden State Warriors on Dec. 21. Gasol, listed as day-to-day, played 29 minutes against the Heat and finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Jordan Farmar will continue to start at point guard after playing his first game on Christmas Day since going down with a left hamstring tear on Dec. 1.
With a shorthanded roster, Mike D’Antoni has had to look at different options, including the Lakers’ 48th overall pick in the 2013 draft, Ryan Kelly, who has worked his way into the rotation after playing a career-high 17 minutes on Christmas Day. The Lakers have lost their last three games and look to get back on track with a win tonight to avoid a season-high four game losing streak.
Kaman starts instead of Gasol tonight vs. Jazz.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) December 27, 2013
-For a preview of tonight’s game click here
Ryan Kelly, who D'Antoni has been giving burn to as of late, tweaked his ankle in practice Thurs but should still play Friday vs. UTA
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 27, 2013
-Read about Ryan Kelly’s improvement here
Kobe traveled with team to Utah to rehab. Steve Nash and Steve Blake are back in LA. Both were given the day off
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) December 27, 2013
-For more on Kobe and his return click here
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