The Jazz scored 30+ in all four quarters, but really took control in the second half to put the air out of the Lakers, who initially took a 12-point lead in the second period.
In a balanced effort from their key guys, Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz who finished with 29 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.
Colin Sexton had 27 points, while Jordan Clarkson added 21 markers for Utah. For good measure, John Collins and rookie Keyonte George had 19 apiece.
With the Lakers hanging around, Utah took advantage of the Lakers’ fould trouble and created separation from the line. Then, Sexton and Clarkson combined for a thunderous alley-oop slam with 4:19 to go, giving the Jazz their double-digit lead which they would never surrender.
ope, here's the right clip https://t.co/odfLJUMjNv pic.twitter.com/eVhAHykzfY
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 14, 2024
Utah has won five straight to make it above .500 at 21-20 for 9th place in the West. The Jazz have also won eight straight home games.
Playing without LeBron James (left ankle peroneal tendinopathy), the Lakers relied on D’Angelo Russell to carry the scoring load.
Russell finished with a season-high 39 points as he regained his starting spot. However, it coincided with Anthony Davis having a rough shooting game, going only 5-of-21 from the field for 15 points.
As an aside, Davis did get his second career triple-double and first with assists as he dished out a career-high 10 dimes to go along with 15 rebounds.
The Lakers, still falling after their IST win in early December, dropped back-to-back for 19-21 and 11th in the West.
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Complete Sunday scores:
Jazz def. Lakers, 132-125
