Donovan Mitchell Sparks Big First Quarter Run For Jazz Against Lakers
Feb 16, 2022, 8:56 PM
Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz looks on during a game against the Houston Rockets at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 22, 2020 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell gave his team a big spark in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night.
The Jazz scored 27 points in the first quarter with Donovan Mitchell putting up 15 of those points against the Lakers. After trailing 11-0 to start the game, Mitchell sparked a run that went 21-7 and put the Jazz back into the game.
It started with Mitchell hitting a three-pointer, followed by a pair of free throws. Russell Westbrook chimed in with a layup before Bojan Bogdanovic drilled a triple. Stanley Johnson scored for the Lakers, followed by a three by Mitchell.
Anthony Davis kept the exchange going with a bucket. Bogdanovic made two free throws after that before Davis converted two at the charity stripe. Mitchell and Bogdanovic made a layup and three, respectively that put the Jazz within one point.
Only two other Jazz players scored in the first quarter, including eight points from Bojan Bogdanovic and four points from Jordan Clarkson. Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 15 points, while Russell Westbrook chipped in seven points. LeBron James had just two points.
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🕷 pic.twitter.com/kdUJByAOAz— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 17, 2022
Jazz Playing Last Game Before All-Star Break
The Jazz have won six consecutive games, the second-longest winning streak in the NBA, and will look to make it seven in a row when they face Los Angeles.
The Lakers meanwhile have lost 12 of their last 17 games dating back to January 9.
The Jazz had a brutal January that saw the team win just four games in 16 outings, but have yet to lose in February.
The team’s success coincided with Donovan Mitchell returning to the roster after suffering a concussion in the Jazz 101-95 loss on January 17 the last time they faced the Lakers.
Rudy Gobert returned to the line on Monday after missing nine consecutive games with a left calf strain and is in uniform once again against LA.
After the game, both Gobert and Mitchell will head to Cleveland for their third consecutive All-Star appearances.
During their six-game winning streak, the Jazz own the NBA’s second-best offense, the third-best defense, and the second-ranked net rating.
The Jazz and Lakers game can be seen on ESPN and AT&T SportsNet and heard on The Zone Sports Network.
