The Lakers still don't see the light at the end of the tunnel. The Angelina franchise lost again, this time to the Utah Jazz, of the Spanish Juancho Hernangómez by 122-109 and their qualification for the play-in is becoming more and more complicated.
Without their two stars, LeBron Jamos, or Anthony Davis, both with physical problems were no match for a Utah Jazz that broke a streak of five consecutive losses with the win at home. . Four losses in a row, 4-14 from the All-Star and just six games ahead to earn a play-in spot. That's the devastating situation of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Donovan Mitchell (29 points and 7 assists) and Rudy Gobert (25 points and 17 rebounds) led the Jazz while Russell Westbrook (24 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists) and Dwight Howard (21 points and 10 rebounds) led the Angels.The Spaniard Juancho Hernangómez played 19 minutes in the Jazz in which he added 9 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.
The Lakers, who never led the game, had a decent offensive performance, shooting 49.4 percent from the field, but struggled to contain a hot Jazz team that fired 51.1 percent of their shots and dished out 25 assists.
Utah Jazz forward Juancho Hernangómez played 19 minutes
Utah led by 11 at halftime, but Westbrook pulled the Lakers within five midway through the third quarter with a layup. Clarkson then scored five points in a 7-2 run that helped Utah control the rest of the quarter.
A basket by Danuel House Jr., who missed the previous eight games due to a bruise on his left knee bone, late in the third quarter gave the Utah Jazz a 99-85 lead. They went to 111-95, but the Lakers cut the deficit to 10 points with 5:36 to go. A three-pointer by Bogdanovic would end up securing Utah's victory.
From seventh to tenth they qualify for the play-in
The play-in is the tournament played by teams ranked from seventh to tenth place and that gives access to play the NBA playoffs. The Lakers, who at the beginning of the season were even opting to win the ring, are now eleventh in the Western Conference, with the same balance as San Antonio, but are behind the Spurs by a tiebreaker criterion.
His next opponent will be the New Orleans Pelicans and coach Frank Vogel, remains uncertain if he can count on James and Davis again for this duel. Davis has missed the last 18 games with a sprained middle foot, while James suffers a sprained ankle.
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