Game ID: 22300788
Los Angeles Lakers @ Utah Jazz
Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET
Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
UTA 28 41 23 30 122LAL 34 36 38 30 138
LAL @ UTA ScoutingLAL @ UTA Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
UTA availability going into 2/04 · 2 days' restOUT Hendricks missed 10 since 1/13, out tonight
OUT Horton-Tucker missed 2 since 1/30, out tonight
OUT Juzang missed 24 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Sensabaugh missed 10 since 1/13, out tonight
OUT Potter missed 24 since 12/18, out tonight
BACK Yurtseven back 1/25 after 3, 3 min since (25% of 11)
UTA availability going into 2/06 · 1 day's restOUT Hendricks missed 11 since 1/13, out tonight
OUT Horton-Tucker missed 3 since 1/30, out tonight
OUT Juzang missed 25 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Sensabaugh missed 11 since 1/13, out tonight
OUT Potter missed 25 since 12/18, out tonight
UTA availability going into 2/08 · 1 day's restOUT Hendricks missed 12 since 1/13, returns tonight: 18 min (82% of 21)
OUT Horton-Tucker missed 4 since 1/30, returns tonight: 14 min (69% of 20)
OUT Juzang missed 26 since 12/18, returns tonight: 2 min (9% of 19)
OUT Sensabaugh missed 12 since 1/13, out tonight
OUT Potter missed 26 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Yurtseven missed 2 since 2/04, returns tonight: 2 min (15% of 11)
UTA availability going into 2/12 · 3 days' restOUT Sensabaugh missed 13 since 1/13, returns tonight: 2 min (13% of 18)
OUT Potter missed 27 since 12/18, out tonight
BACK Hendricks back 2/08 after 12, 18 min since (82% of 21)
BACK Horton-Tucker back 2/08 after 4, 14 min since (69% of 20)
BACK Juzang back 2/08 after 26, 2 min since (9% of 19)
BACK Yurtseven back 2/08 after 2, 2 min since (15% of 11)
UTA availability going into 2/14 · 1 day's restOUT Potter missed 28 since 12/18, out tonight
BACK Hendricks back 2/08 after 12, 18 min since (86% of 21)
BACK Horton-Tucker back 2/08 after 4, 15 min since (75% of 20)
BACK Juzang back 2/08 after 26, 2 min since (9% of 19)
BACK Sensabaugh back 2/12 after 13, 2 min since (13% of 18)
BACK Yurtseven back 2/08 after 2, 2 min since (18% of 11)
UTA availability going into 2/15 · back-to-backOUT Juzang missed 2 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Potter missed 29 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Preston missed 2 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Hendricks back 2/08 after 12, 18 min since (83% of 21)
BACK Horton-Tucker back 2/08 after 4, 15 min since (77% of 20)
BACK Sensabaugh back 2/12 after 13, 2 min since (13% of 18)
BACK Yurtseven back 2/08 after 2, 2 min since (19% of 11)
UTA availability going into 2/22 · 6 days' restOUT Juzang missed 3 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Potter missed 30 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Preston missed 3 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Hendricks back 2/08 after 12, 17 min since (81% of 21)
BACK Horton-Tucker back 2/08 after 4, 13 min since (65% of 20)
BACK Sensabaugh back 2/12 after 13, 2 min since (13% of 18)
BACK Yurtseven back 2/08 after 2, 2 min since (19% of 11)
NEW George 27 to 32 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 2/25 · 2 days' restOUT Juzang missed 4 since 2/12, returns tonight: 2 min (13% of 19)
OUT Potter missed 31 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Yurtseven missed 2 since 2/15, returns tonight: 2 min (22% of 11)
OUT Preston missed 4 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Hendricks back 2/08 after 12, 19 min since (89% of 21)
BACK Horton-Tucker back 2/08 after 4, 13 min since (65% of 20)
BACK Sensabaugh back 2/12 after 13, 6 min since (32% of 18)
NEW George 27 to 33 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 2/27 · 1 day's restOUT Horton-Tucker missed 2 since 2/22, returns tonight: 10 min (51% of 20)
OUT Potter missed 32 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Preston missed 5 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Juzang back 2/25 after 4, 2 min since (13% of 19)
BACK Sensabaugh back 2/12 after 13, 8 min since (45% of 18)
BACK Yurtseven back 2/25 after 2, 2 min since (22% of 11)
NEW George 27 to 33 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 2/05 · 1 day's restOUT Reddish missed 6 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 23 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Davis back 2/03 after 2, 36 min since (101% of 36)
BACK Hayes back 1/29 after 2, 21 min since (173% of 12)
LAL availability going into 2/08 · 2 days' restOUT Reddish missed 7 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 2 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 24 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Davis back 2/03 after 2, 37 min since (102% of 36)
BACK Hayes back 1/29 after 2, 19 min since (157% of 12)
NEW Christie 14 to 20 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 2/09 · back-to-backOUT Reddish missed 8 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 3 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 25 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Davis back 2/03 after 2, 37 min since (104% of 36)
NEW Hayes 12 to 20 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 2/13 · 3 days' restOUT Reddish missed 9 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 4 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 26 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Davis back 2/03 after 2, 35 min since (98% of 36)
NEW Christie 14 to 21 min over the last 4
NEW Hayes 12 to 18 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 2/14 · back-to-backOUT Reddish missed 10 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 5 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 27 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Christie missed 2 since 2/09, out tonight
BACK Davis back 2/03 after 2, 34 min since (94% of 36)
LAL availability going into 2/22 · 7 days' restOUT Reddish missed 11 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 6 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 28 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Christie missed 3 since 2/09, returns tonight: 29 min (204% of 14)
NEW Hachimura 27 to 33 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 2/23 · back-to-backOUT James missed 2 since 2/14, returns tonight: 34 min (96% of 36)
OUT Reddish missed 12 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 7 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 29 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Christie back 2/22 after 3, 29 min since (204% of 14)
NEW Hachimura 27 to 34 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 2/25 · 1 day's restOUT Reddish missed 13 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 8 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 30 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 2 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK James back 2/23 after 2, 34 min since (96% of 36)
BACK Christie back 2/22 after 3, 21 min since (149% of 14)
NEW Hachimura 27 to 33 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 2/28 · 2 days' restOUT Reddish missed 14 since 1/25, returns tonight: 20 min (96% of 20)
OUT Vanderbilt missed 9 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 31 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 3 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK James back 2/23 after 2, 36 min since (100% of 36)
BACK Christie back 2/22 after 3, 16 min since (112% of 14)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 122, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Markkanen at 25 and Sexton at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. One day's rest. The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 114, shooting 52 percent and 36 from three, 26 free throws a game; James at 24 and Russell at 24 a game. They have lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Reddish (10 straight), Vanderbilt (5 straight), Vincent (27 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Utah wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Utah has been plus-9 a night and the Lakers minus-4 and the turnovers, Utah giving it away 15 times a game to the Lakers' 10. Call it Utah 119, the Lakers 118, the Lakers keeping it close.
2/04 vs MIL 123-108 — UTA notes
UTA won 123-108. UTA shot 48% (43 of 89) to MIL's 46%, 17 of 44 from three. UTA turned it over 16 times to MIL's 11, and MIL turned those into 8 steals. The glass went 52-32 for them. Markkanen led with 21 (8 of 15, 5 of 10 from three); Sexton added 19, George 19. The hinge was Q4, 40-13: UTA came in trailing by 12 and left it ahead by 15. UTA trailed 53-63 at the half and won the second half 70-45. Olynyk was the night's best plus/minus at +24.
2/06 vs OKC 124-117 — UTA notes
UTA won 124-117. UTA shot 52% (46 of 89) to OKC's 48%, 14 of 35 from three. UTA turned it over 17 times to OKC's 11, and OKC turned those into 9 steals. The glass went 48-32 for them. Markkanen led with 33 (12 of 18, 5 of 7 from three); Collins added 22, George 16. The hinge was Q3, 35-24: UTA came in trailing by 7 and left it ahead by 4. UTA trailed 61-68 at the half and won the second half 63-49. Dunn was the night's best plus/minus at +18.
2/08 @ PHX 115-129 — UTA notes
UTA lost 115-129. UTA shot 44% (41 of 94) to PHX's 59%, 12 of 35 from three, and went to the line 31 times to PHX's 16 — 21 points from the stripe to their 11. The glass went 52-37 for them. Markkanen led with 22 (8 of 15, 2 of 6 from three); Collins added 21, Sexton 19. Q4 was theirs, 25-20, the deficit cut from 19 to 14, but the other 3 periods went 109-90 against them. Collins's -20 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/12 vs GSW 107-129 — UTA notes
UTA lost 107-129. UTA shot 45% (41 of 92) to GSW's 48%, 11 of 32 from three. Clarkson led with 22 (7 of 17, 4 of 7 from three); Sexton added 22, Markkanen 19. Q2 was theirs, 29-29, but the other 3 periods went 100-78 against them. George's -32 in 29 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/14 vs LAL 122-138 — UTA notes
UTA lost 122-138. UTA took 10 more shots (101 to 91), fed by 15 offensive rebounds, but shot 49% to LAL's 57%, 14 of 45 from three, and got to the line 13 times to LAL's 24. Sexton led with 18 (8 of 15, 2 of 5 from three); Clarkson added 17, Markkanen 16. Q2 was theirs, 41-36, the deficit cut from 6 to 1, but the other 3 periods went 102-81 against them. Dunn's -21 in 17 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/15 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 124, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 21 free throws a game; Markkanen at 22 and Sexton at 18 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Juzang (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Golden State comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 112, shooting 49 percent and 44 from three, 16 free throws a game; Curry at 29 and Kuminga at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Paul (17 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Golden State wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Golden State at 44 percent from three to Utah's 36 and the defense, Golden State allowing 112 a night to Utah's 124. Call it Golden State 121, Utah 118, Utah keeping it close.
2/22 vs CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 131, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Markkanen at 22 and Sexton at 22 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Juzang (3 straight). 6 days' rest. Charlotte comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 110, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 18 free throws a game; Bridges at 24 and Miller at 18 a game. That is 3 straight wins. 7 days' rest.
So: Utah wins, and the game turns on the defense, Charlotte allowing 110 a night to Utah's 131. Call it Utah 118, Charlotte 117, Charlotte keeping it close.
2/25 vs SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 130, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; Sexton at 22 and Markkanen at 20 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Juzang (4 straight). 2 days' rest. San Antonio comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 118, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 20 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 24 and Vassell at 19 a game. That is 3 straight losses. One day's rest.
So: Utah wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Utah has been plus-7 a night and San Antonio minus-2 and the defense, San Antonio allowing 118 a night to Utah's 130. Call it Utah 120, San Antonio 117, San Antonio keeping it close.
2/27 @ ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Atlanta comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 117, shooting 44 percent and 32 from three, 25 free throws a game; Murray at 23 and Hunter at 21 a game. Without Okongwu (3 straight), Krejčí (2 straight). One day's rest. Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 126, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Sexton at 22 and Markkanen at 20 a game. Without Horton-Tucker (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Atlanta wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Utah giving it away 16 times a game to Atlanta's 11 and the defense, Atlanta allowing 117 a night to Utah's 126. Call it Atlanta 122, Utah 118, Utah keeping it close.
2/05 @ CHA 124-118 — LAL notes
LAL won 124-118. LAL shot 56% (50 of 89) to CHA's 49%, 8 of 34 from three. LAL turned it over 16 times to CHA's 9, and CHA turned those into 9 steals. The glass went 48-34 for them. Russell led with 28 (10 of 21, 5 of 12 from three); James added 26, Davis 26. The hinge was Q1, 37-29: from level to 8 ahead, and the lead reached 21. Davis was the night's best plus/minus at +16.
2/08 vs DEN 106-114 — LAL notes
LAL lost 106-114. LAL shot 46% (41 of 89) to DEN's 48%, 8 of 25 from three, and went to the line 22 times to DEN's 7 — 16 points from the stripe to their 6. LAL turned it over 7 times to DEN's 12. The glass went 39-50 against them. Davis led with 32 (14 of 27, 0 of 3 from three, 4 of 6 at the line); James added 25, Reaves 15. Q3 was theirs, 30-24, the deficit cut from 10 to 4, but the other 3 periods went 90-76 against them. Hachimura's -12 in 38 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/09 vs NOP 139-122 — LAL notes
LAL won 139-122. LAL shot 56% (49 of 88) to NOP's 52%, 14 of 31 from three, and went to the line 32 times to NOP's 23 — 27 points from the stripe to their 19. LAL turned it over 7 times to NOP's 13. Russell led with 30 (9 of 19, 6 of 13 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Reaves added 27, James 21. The hinge was Q2, 51-35: LAL came in trailing by 3 and left it ahead by 13, and the lead reached 20. Hachimura was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
2/13 vs DET 125-111 — LAL notes
LAL won 125-111. LAL shot 51% (43 of 84) to DET's 42%, 14 of 35 from three, and went to the line 30 times to DET's 17 — 25 points from the stripe to their 13. LAL turned it over 15 times to DET's 10, and DET turned those into 8 steals. James led with 25 (9 of 15, 3 of 6 from three); Russell added 21, Davis 20. The hinge was Q2, 37-24: a lead of 10 became 23. Reaves was the night's best plus/minus at +25.
2/14 @ UTA 138-122 — LAL notes
LAL won 138-122. LAL shot 57% (52 of 91) to UTA's 49%, 14 of 31 from three, and went to the line 24 times to UTA's 13 — 20 points from the stripe to their 10. Davis led with 37 (13 of 25, 1 of 3 from three, 10 of 13 at the line); Hachimura added 36, Reaves 22. The hinge was Q3, 38-23: a lead of 1 became 16, and the lead reached 23. Hachimura was the night's best plus/minus at +25.
2/22 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 128 a night and allowing 119, shooting 49 percent and 45 from three, 17 free throws a game; Curry at 31 and Thompson at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Paul (18 straight). 6 days' rest. The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 117, shooting 53 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; Davis at 27 and James at 24 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Reddish (11 straight), Vanderbilt (6 straight), Vincent (28 straight). 7 days' rest.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Golden State has been plus-6 a night and the Lakers minus-3 and the arc, Golden State at 45 percent from three to the Lakers' 37. Call it Golden State 122, the Lakers 119, the Lakers keeping it close.
2/23 vs SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 119, shooting 52 percent and 38 from three, 26 free throws a game; Davis at 27 and James at 24 a game. They have lost the glass by 7 a night. Without James (2 straight), Reddish (12 straight), Vanderbilt (7 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. San Antonio comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 118, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 18 free throws a game; Vassell at 23 and Wembanyama at 22 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the line, where the Lakers take 26 free throws a game to San Antonio's 18 and the arc, the Lakers at 38 percent from three to San Antonio's 33. Call it the Lakers 121, San Antonio 114.
2/25 @ PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 115, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 31 free throws a game; Durant at 26 and Booker at 25 a game. Without Beal (3 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 120, shooting 53 percent and 40 from three, 25 free throws a game; Davis at 26 and James at 25 a game. They have lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Reddish (13 straight), Vanderbilt (8 straight), Vincent (30 straight). One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Phoenix giving it away 15 times a game to the Lakers' 11 and the arc, the Lakers at 40 percent from three to Phoenix's 34. Call it Phoenix 119, the Lakers 117, the Lakers keeping it close.
2/28 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 119, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 23 free throws a game; Leonard at 20 and Harden at 18 a game. 2 days' rest. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 120, shooting 52 percent and 39 from three, 20 free throws a game; James at 28 and Davis at 27 a game. They have lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Reddish (14 straight), Vanderbilt (9 straight), Vincent (31 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-0 a night and the Lakers minus-7 and the arc, the Lakers at 39 percent from three to the Clippers' 34. Call it the Clippers 118, the Lakers 117, the Lakers keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
LALAD A. Davis
AR A. Reaves
CC C. Castleton
CW C. Wood
DR D. Russell
DW D. Windler
JH J. Hayes
RH R. Hachimura
SD S. Dinwiddie
TP T. Prince
UTABS B. Sensabaugh
CS C. Sexton
JC J. Clarkson
JC J. Collins
KD K. Dunn
KG K. George
KL K. Lewis Jr.
LM L. Markkanen
LS L. Samanic
OY O. Yurtseven
TH T. Hendricks
TH T. Horton-Tucker
WK W. Kessler
LAL/UTA the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Anthony Davis, Rui Hachimura lead Lakers past Jazz 138-122 with LeBron James resting
SALT LAKE CITY -- — Anthony Davis had 37 points and 15 rebounds and Rui Hachimura scored a career-high 36 points for the Los Angeles Lakers , who beat the Utah Jazz 138-122 on Wednesday night while resting LeBron James in their final game before the All-Star break.
“It’s kind of one of those trap games right before All-Star and you’re on the road. You get in late and you can easily fold ... but we didn’t,” Davis said.
The team cited an ankle injury for James, who sat out the second game of a back-to-back. He is set to play in his 20th All-Star Game on Sunday in Indianapolis.
Hachimura made a career-best six 3-pointers and topped his previous high of 30 points, which he had reached four times in his five-year career.
“I want to impact the game. My goal is to be the X-factor for the team, offensive or defensively. Be aggressive and use my size,” Hachimura said.
The Lakers have won six of seven, including four straight road wins.
“This is who we are. This is who we need to be,” Davis said. “We got to have an identity and we are starting to establish that.”
Davis and Hachimura become the first pair of Lakers teammates since Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal (in 2003) to each score more than 35 points in a game.
“Obviously, their size hurt us in the paint. Anthony Davis had a great game. I thought Hachimura honestly was really the difference, made some tough shots in isolation,” Utah coach Will Hardy said.
Collin Sexton eclipsed 6,000 career points during the game and finished with 18 points for the Jazz, who have lost nine of 13 to fall out of the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. Jordan Clarkson had 17 and Lauri Markkanen added 16 for Utah.
“We haven’t given up, so that’s one thing we have on this team. (We’re) just playing our hearts out. ... We have a lot of potential with this team,” Markkanen said.
Los Angeles shot 57% with offensive spacing that allowed drives to the basket and wide-open 3-pointers off kick-out passes.
Austin Reaves scored 22 points for the Lakers while D’Angelo Russell had 11 points and a career-high 17 assists.
“I think you just find what’s working and feed that. It allows the game to open up for everybody,” Russell said.
Davis scored 10 straight points and 17 during a 30-10 surge that put Los Angeles ahead 111-92 directly after the Jazz took their final lead at 82-81.
“We are just playing the right way, sharing the basketball and playing together. Guys are making shots and we’re just in a great groove and having fun," Davis said.
The last time Davis played at Utah, he shot a career-worst 5 of 21.
This time, Davis was nearly unstoppable on jumpers, spinning drives and putbacks. He also made 10 of 13 free throws.
Hachimura had 21 points in the first half.
“I’ve been telling Rui, ‘I need you to come out and play like a wild man. Just put your fingerprints all over the game,’” Los Angeles coach Darvin Ham said. “He heard us loud and clear with us encouraging him. We need Rui to be great in order for us to be great.”
Clarkson got hot with three 3s and 13 points in the second period to help the Jazz close within 70-69 at halftime.
UP NEXT
Lakers: At Golden State on Feb. 22, after the All-Star break.