Gobert, Clarkson toss in 18 each, Jazz miff Lakers
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – The Utah Jazz are an offensive juggernaut that isn’t slowing down for anyone – including the defending NBA champions.
Utah routed the Los Angeles Lakers 114-89 on Wednesday night after making a barrage of 3-pointers and shutting things down on the defensive end.
The Jazz made 22 3-pointers and shot 46 percent from long distance. Defensively, they held the Lakers to 40 percent shooting, including 8 of 33 from 3-point range.
“It’s all about getting better,” center Rudy Gobert said. “We did a great job sharing the ball offensively. When we defend and we share the ball, it’s hard to beat us.”
Gobert led the way with 18 points and nine rebounds to help Utah (26-6) win for the 22nd time in its last 24 games – with 20 of those victories coming by double-digits.
Jordan Clarkson added 18 points and Bojan Bogdanovic chipped in 15 points. Mike Conley had 14 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, and Donovan Mitchell finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.
As a team, the Jazz had 28 assists on 41 baskets.
“The fact that we have a lot of guys that are capable of making plays, and our team likes to play that way, that’s part of who we are and part of our identity,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder said.
LeBron James scored 19 points and Montrezl Harrell added 16 to lead the Lakers (22-11), who lost their fourth straight and fifth in six games.
Los Angeles has struggled without Anthony Davis and Dennis Schroder in the lineup. Still, James is confident the Lakers can regain their form as the season progresses.
“Everyone is put in positions that they wouldn’t be put in under normal circumstances,” James said. “It’s always about staying confident, continuing to give my teammates the courage and the confidence out there on the floor and to make plays.
“It’s a tough stretch for us, but this won’t define what we will be for the rest of the season and for the long haul.”
Back-to-back baskets from James and Marc Gasol gave the Lakers a 17-13 lead as Los Angeles hung with Utah for a quarter. But the final three quarters belonged to the Jazz.