SALT LAKE CITY — The Lakers’ biggest area of improvement hasn’t been a secret.
From Coach JJ Redick to star guard Luka Doncic, multiple members of the team openly spoke about the need for collective improvement on the defensive end of the court since their home loss to the San Antonio Spurs last week. They also acknowledged that Sunday’s road win against the Phoenix Suns was a step in the right direction, but more progress was needed.
And even though significant chunks of Thursday night’s game against the Utah Jazz represented a step in the wrong direction, the Lakers produced enough timely defensive stops – to go with an explosive offensive performance from Doncic – to leave the Delta Center with a 143-135 victory over the Jazz.
Doncic had his league-best sixth 40-point game of the season, finishing with 45 points, 14 assists, 11 rebounds and five steals for a triple-double, to lead the Lakers (19-7).
And after the Lakers trailed for much of Thursday’s game, the 26-year-old guard made a pair of back-to-back 3-pointers to give them their largest lead of the game, 131-119, late in the fourth.
LeBron James added 28 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds, while Marcus Smart had 17 points (5 for 9 from 3-point range) and four rebounds before fouling out in the fourth.
All five Lakers starters scored in double figures, including Rui Hachimura (13 points), who made a crucial 3-pointer to give the Lakers a 134-127 lead with 1:14 left after the Jazz cut the margin to four points. Jaxson Hayes added 16 points.
Utah’s 78 points through the opening two quarters were the most points the Lakers have allowed in a half this season.
The Lakers’ lacked defensive urgency and energy early, a factor in the Jazz scoring 41 points in the first quarter and 37 points in the second, respectively, in addition to Utah finding a rhythm from behind the arc.
The Lakers struggled with their perimeter containment on drives and closeouts, leading to the Jazz shooting 70% from the field (14 of 20) in the opening quarter – 54.5% from 3-point range (6 for 11) – and attempting 11 free throws.
The Jazz maintained their offensive rhythm in the second period, but the Lakers, led by Doncic and James, kept pace with Utah, scoring 41 second-quarter points to go into halftime trailing 78-73 despite their defensive struggles.
The Jazz attempted a season-high 47 free throws (making 31) and the Lakers’ frustration boiled over in the third quarter as Marcus Smart, Hayes and Doncic all received technical fouls, but the Lakers kept the game close.
They tied the score at 102 apiece late in the third, winning the quarter 29-28 to enter the fourth trailing 106-102.
The Lakers opened the fourth on a 7-2 run, taking a 109-108 lead after a pair of Maxi Kleber free throws for their first advantage since early in the first.
Smart’s three 3-pointers in the fourth helped the Lakers build a 125-116 lead before he picked up his sixth foul.
Keyonte George had 34 points and eight assists to pace Utah, which played without leading scorer Lauri Markkanen (groin).
More to come on this story.