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The LA Lakers and Utah Jazz met for the third and final time this season on Wednesday. With the two likely jockeying for the final play-in spots, the winner of the season series could have a big advantage down the stretch. LA and Utah were tied at 1-1 apiece heading into the matchup.
The Lakers played without LeBron James but still had Anthony Davis leading the charge. Rui Hachimura’s sizzling-hot first half gave the visiting team the boost it badly needed to open the game. D’Angelo Russell’s all-around skills also helped LA get off to a good start.
Meanwhile, the Jazz received big contributions from the bench to help Lauri Markkanen. Jordan Clarkson and Kris Dunn have been superb with their productions on both ends of the floor. Utah will be content it trailed LA, 70-69 going into the halftime break.
The LA Lakers, however, pulverized the Utah Jazz 38-23 in the third quarter to grab a stranglehold of the game. Rui Hachimura and Anthony Davis continued their onslaught to put Utah in a big hole.
The Jazz desperately tried to cut down the lead in the fourth period but couldn't string together defensive stops. Lauri Markkanen couldn't get his game going in the second half, which was a key to Utah's 138-122 blowout loss.
LA Lakers vs Utah Jazz game player stats
LA Lakers game player stats
Anthony Davis had a monster 37-point and 15-rebound double-double. He was matched up against Walker Kessler, one of the NBA's best rim protectors, but Davis dominated him.
Without Rui Hachimura's superb game, the Lakers may not have gotten away with an overwhelming win. They badly needed him to step up as they were without LeBron James. D'Angelo Russell also took his playmaking level without "King James." He orchestrated the team's offense and ended with 14 assissts.
Here are the Lakers' game player stats:
Utah Jazz game player stats
Lauri Markkanen paced the Jazz with 13 first-half points but could only add three the rest of the way. It was the story of the night as the Lakers clamped down defensively on Utah's best player.
Jordan Clarkson, Kris Dunn and Collin Sexton played reasonably well but that wasn't enough to overcome the Davis-Hachimura show.
Here are the Jazz's game player stats:
LA Lakers vs Utah Jazz game player ratings
LA Lakers game player ratings
The Lakers had seven players with positive net ratings which Rui Hachimura's +36.2 leading the starters. Anthony Davis came in second with +32.7
Here are the Lakers' game player advanced ratings:
Utah Jazz game player ratings
Only four out of the 13 players that Jazz coach Will Hardy used earned positive net ratings. The worst among the starters was Walker Kessler who finished with a -33.9 mark.
Backup guard and former Laker Kris Dunn had a team-worst -56.8
Here are the Jazz players' advanced ratings:
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