The Lakers went to Utah looking to snap a seven game losing streak and, behind Nick Young and a massive fourth quarter run, the Lakers coasted to a 119-104 win.
Young poured in a season high 41 points and the Lakers started the fourth quarter on a 23-6 run to blow open a tie game. Jodie Meeks and Jordan Hill added 23 and 21 points respectively while Kendall Marshall dished out 15 assists.
The Lakers surely disappointed some fans with the win however, as this win over the Jazz ended any chance of the Lakers gaining more ping pong balls in the draft lottery.
First Quarter:
Jodie Meeks and Jordan Hill got the Lakers going offensively scoring 13 of the team’s first 17 points, but the defense was not sharp in the beginning of the game. The Jazz had a very balanced output as Alec Burks, Gordon Hayward, Enes Kanter, and Derrick Favors all had multiple baskets as the Jazz took a 23-17 lead midway through the quarter. The bench would come in and provide a little spark for the Lakers with eight points, but the Lakers still trailed 30-23 after the first.
Second Quarter
The Jazz started the second quarter on an 8-2 run led by Gordon Hayward who the Lakers have always had trouble matching up with. Midway through the quarter the Lakers trailed 38-25 midway through the second. The Lakers offense really struggled early but the Lakers took advantage of some Jazz turnovers to stay within striking distance. After trailing 49-38, the Lakers would end the quarter on a 19-2 run behind Young and Meeks to take a 57-51 lead at halftime.
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Third Quarter
Jordan Hill came out determined to not allow the Lakers to fall into their normal third quarter lulls. Favors and Hayward continued to be problems for the Lakers as neither could be stopped. Ryan Kelly made a couple more baskets, but the Jazz quickly erased the Lakers lead and took one of their own. The teams would trade off the lead back and forth for the remainder of the quarter before a Nick Young three tied the game at 86 to end the quarter.
Fourth Quarter
The Lakers got off to a great start in the fourth as they scored the first 11 points of the quarter, nine by Nick Young including a bouncing three-pointer. The fourth quarter simply belonged to the Lakers, and Young in particular. The Lakers outscored Utah 23-6 in the first eight minutes of the quarter with Young leading the way. Johnson, Meeks, and Sacre had their moments as well, but Young could not be stopped as he led the way with 41 points as the Lakers ended their seven game losing streak with a 119-104 win.
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