Lakers
Doncic scores 52 as Lakers erase 18-point hole and beat Jazz 132-123
The Lakers beat the Jazz 132-123 at Delta Center after trailing by 18 in the first quarter. Luka Doncic scored 52, and Los Angeles outscored Utah 45-24 in the second quarter to take control. The Lakers are 3-0 and the Jazz are 1-2.
By the Hoops Nightly Desk · updated 24 min ago01The story of the nightThe second quarter flipped the gameUtah came out hot.
Utah came out hot. The Jazz scored 47 in the first quarter and led 47-29. Their biggest lead was 18, and it came early. Then the game turned. The Lakers scored 45 in the second quarter while Utah managed 24. Los Angeles went to the break up 74-71. The third quarter was even at 29-29, so the Lakers carried a 103-100 lead into the fourth. They won the last period 29-23 to close it out. The teams traded the lead six times. Utah never recovered from that 24-point second quarter, and it never got back in front for good after halftime.
02Doncic carries the LakersDoncic finished with 52 points on 17-of-30 shooting.
Doncic finished with 52 points on 17-of-30 shooting. He hit 8 of 18 from three and 10 of 11 at the line. He added 8 rebounds and 10 assists, with 4 turnovers. Austin Reaves scored 29 on 7-of-12 shooting and went 11-of-13 from the line. Los Angeles was plus-14 with him on the floor. For Utah, Lauri Markkanen led with 28 points and hit 5 of 11 threes. Keyonte George had 24 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists, but also 6 turnovers. Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 20. Ace Bailey had 17 points and 12 rebounds on 8-of-11 shooting.
03Where the game was wonUtah dominated inside.
Utah dominated inside. The Jazz scored 58 points in the paint to the Lakers' 30 and won the glass 66-39. They had 29 assists to 19. It was not enough. Los Angeles made 20 of 47 threes, while Utah made 10 of 35. The Lakers went 32-of-38 at the line, and the Jazz went 21-of-27. Turnovers mattered too. Utah gave it away 17 times and the Lakers 10. Los Angeles scored 22 points off turnovers to Utah's 16, and won the fast-break count 18-4. Both teams shot close to 48 percent overall. The benches were nearly even, 27 for the Lakers and 26 for the Jazz.
04What it means for the LakersLos Angeles is 3-0 and has won three straight.
Los Angeles is 3-0 and has won three straight. This one was not clean. The Lakers gave up 58 points in the paint and were outrebounded by 27. They got away with it because of Doncic, Reaves and the perimeter. Matisse Thybulle added 11 points and 3 steals in 26 minutes and finished plus-12. Ziaire Williams scored 11 and was plus-11. Collin Sexton led the bench with 13. Walker Kessler had 2 points and 7 rebounds in 28 minutes. Fixing the interior defense is the obvious task, but the shooting and the turnover edge kept the record perfect.
05What it means for the JazzUtah is 1-2, has lost its last game, and sits 12th in the West.
Utah is 1-2, has lost its last game, and sits 12th in the West. This one will sting. The Jazz led by 18 and had four players score 17 or more. Then they were outscored 45-24 in one quarter and never got the lead back for good. The 17 turnovers hurt, including 6 from George and 4 from Jackson. Darryn Peterson shot 4-of-13 for 8 points and missed all four of his threes. Jaxson Hayes was efficient off the bench with 9 points on 4-of-5 shooting. The rebounding and paint work were strong, but the defense on the perimeter and the giveaways cost them.
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