Utah Jazz beat L.A. Lakers for second straight time
For whatever it’s worth, the Utah Jazz have retained a perfect pre-season with seven wins in as many games played. The Jazz beat the defending NBA champs, the Los Angeles Lakers, 82-74 at the Honda Centre
on the night of Tuesday 19 October.
Al Jefferson made 13 points with eight rebounds in the first three quarters but had to leave the game due to an injured hand. C.J. Mill backed Jefferson with 14 points of his own, making him top scorer
of the night.
Deron Williams who contributed 10 points and had a team leading five assists for the Jazz said after the game that the “first group is playing pretty good.”
The first group that started against the Lakers is also the same five players that are expected to start in the season opener next week. Thanks to the solid play of the first group, the Jazz were able
to take an early 24-14 lead after the first quarter.
Williams added that there is still room for improvement but was overall satisfied with their performance saying, “the timing is still not there, but for the most part, we played hard and played together.
We're in a good position for this point in the season.''
Williams and Jefferson nursing injuries
Williams who missed the previous two games will also be sitting out the Jazz’s next and final exhibition match against Sacramento on Friday due to a strained left calf. This means that this was the final
chance for the star point-guard to work out any issues in the team’s chemistry before the start of the regular season.
Jefferson’s injury in the third quarter was an aggravation of an injury that was suffered in the Jazz’s first preseason game. The injured area is a bruise to the index finger just above the index finger.
Jefferson remains confident that the injury won’t stop him from continuing to play telling reporters, “I can play with it. It's just something I have to deal with.''
Lakers continue to struggle
Bryant struggled on the night, only scoring seven points on 2-for-13 shooting but seemed unaffected by his poor performance.
“We're just moving on, game by game, day by day,” was all he had to say about it.
Shannon Brown and Matt Barnes were lead scorers for the Lakers with 13 points apiece while Pau Gasol added 11 points.
Gasol blamed Tuesday’s loss and their overall 2-4preseason record on inconsistent performance emphasizing the streaky performance of their defence. After the match, Gasol consoled himself and Lakers fans
saying that "the real deal doesn't start until the 26th (start of regular season). That's when we can start making judgments."
The Lakers have two exhibitions left to play both against the Golden State Warriors this Thursday and Friday. The Jazz’s last exhibition will be against the Sacramento Kings this Friday who have a three
win - three loss record.
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