Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell and Cam Reddish Out
The Los Angeles Lakers have been struggling lately, losing four of their last five games after a six-game winning streak. Sunday night offers them the best opportunity to get back on track and take on the Utah Jazz in the first of four games.
The other three games are much more demanding, starting with the second straight game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, so the Lakers will definitely need to take advantage of the first end against a 4-15 Jazz team.
It definitely won’t be a walk in the park for the Lakers, even though they narrowly beat the Jazz in LA a few weeks ago. Walker Kessler was unavailable in this game and the big man, who is a potential trade target for the Lakers, is playing his best basketball since returning from injury.
In Kessler’s last four games, he averaged 12.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.3 blocks while shooting 74.2% from the field. He poses challenges for the Lakers and Anthony Davis on both ends of the court.
The Lakers’ lack of size was glaring, especially with Jaxson Hayes, Christian Wood and Jarred Vanderbilt all staying out. Given the Jazz’s overall size, JJ Redick will likely have to rely on Christian Koloko off the bench instead of going small like he did in the loss to the Thunder.
LA is expected to be without several other key players, with D’Angelo Russell and Cam Reddish also out due to illness.
Austin Reaves was also questionable because of a bruised left pelvis after a bad fall against Oklahoma City. He’s tough and doesn’t like to sit out games, but in this game he’s not up to it. With Reaves, Russell and Reddish all in action, the Lakers’ starting lineup will once again rely on Dalton Knecht to score. Gabe Vincent is also expected to start at point guard, with Jalen Hood-Schifino getting some minutes off the bench.
The last time the Lakers played the Jazz, Knecht had a career night with 37 points, including a breakthrough 17-straight points. Knecht has been the Lakers’ top scorer in the last two games, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis either struggling or being double-teamed.
However, the Jazz won’t be surprised by Knecht’s scoring ability this time around, and with so many guys out, the Lakers desperately need a strong performance from their superstars to get this win.
Los Angeles Lakers (11-8) vs. Utah Jazz (4-15)
5:00 p.m. PT Sunday, December 1, 2024
Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
TV: Spectrum SportsNet
Radio: 710 AM ESPN LA
Expected Lakers starting lineup:
PG: Gabe Vincent
SG: Dalton Knecht
SF: LeBron James
PF: Rui Hachimura
C: Anthony Davis
Key reserves: Max Christie, Gabe Vincent, Christian Koloko, Jalen Hood-Schifino
Projected Jazz starting lineup:
PG: Keyonte George
SG: Collin Sexton
SF: John Collins
PF: Lauri Markkanen
C: Walker Kessler
Key reserves: Jordan Clarkson, Isaiah Collier, Cody Williams, Drew Eubanks, Kyle Filipowski
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