Jazz Lack Defense In Loss To Lakers
Dec 4, 2019, 10:05 PM | Updated: 10:12 pm
Jeff Green #22 of the Utah Jazz guards LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 4, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz struggled to defend the Los Angeles Lakers and the dynamic duo of LeBron James in a 121-96 loss.
The Jazz failed to outscore the Lakers in every quarter of the loss on Wednesday, December 4.
Utah allowed Los Angeles’ James and Davis to combine for 46 points in the 25 point loss. It was the Jazz’s fifth loss in the team’s last six games.
On Wednesday night, Davis shot 9-11 for 26 points. He was 8-9 from the free throw stripe. The all-star forward added 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 3 blocks.
AD putting the defender on that spin cycle 🤯
(📺: @SpectrumSN ) pic.twitter.com/CxTODbSkuO
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 5, 2019
James was 9-21 on field goals for 20 points. He posted 4 boards, 12 assists, and a steal.
This is Frank Approved ✔️
(📺: @SpectrumSN ) pic.twitter.com/3HjuVhLFlE
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 5, 2019
Former Utah Utes’ forward Kyle Kuzma had 13 points for L.A.
Five Lakers scored in double figures.
Utah allowed Los Angeles to shoot better from 50 percent on field goals and nearly 50 percent on shots from behind the arc.
The Jazz were led by Donovan Mitchell who scored 29 points but took 24 field goal attempts to get there.
Donovan Mitchell diagnoses the @UtahJazz defensive issues over the past 6 games. pic.twitter.com/7s9PjZSSbE
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 5, 2019
Forward Bojan Bogdanovic added 23 points.
Rudy Gobert posted a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds.
The Lakers improved to 19-3 on the season and 10-1 away from SoCal. They are currently tied with the Milwaukee Bucks for the best record in the NBA.
Utah fell to 12-10 on the season and 8-2 at home. The Jazz have lost to the Lakers in each of their meetings this season. They now have the 6th best record in the Western Conference.
Utah has trailed by double digits at halftime in each of their last five games.
The Jazz have allowed opponents to score 100 points or more in 13 of their past 15 games. Nine of those games have been losses. The two games where the Jazz held the opponent to under 100 points ended in victories.
Utah currently has the 10th best defensive rating in the NBA. Last season, the Jazz finished the season with the second best defense in the league.
Right now, Utah’s offense ranks 23rd out of 30 teams.
The Jazz have a couple of days off to rest, recover, and get some practice in before playing again on Saturday, December 7.
Utah’s schedule is favorable leading up to Christmas. The next seven Jazz opponents have records of .500 or less on the season starting with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Jeff Green says the @UtahJazz are low, but are excited to have time to practice and for the schedule to ease up. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/Q6eG1qKm1K
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 5, 2019
The Jazz host the Grizzlies on December 7 at 8 p.m. (MDT).
