Game Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers enter Tuesday's matchup against the Utah Jazz riding a hot streak, having won their last five games and sporting an impressive 9-4 record on the season. The Lakers' recent surge has been fueled by a prolific offense averaging 118.2 points per game over their last five contests, a shade above their season average of 116.8. Their scoring prowess has been complemented by a stifling defense that has held opponents to just 109.2 points per game during this winning stretch.
The Lakers' balanced attack has been firing on all cylinders, with their field goal shooting hovering around 49 percent in their last five games, including a blistering 40.4 percent from three-point range. They've also excelled at sharing the ball, dishing out 28 assists per game while keeping turnovers relatively low at just 11 per contest. On the glass, the Lakers have been dominant, grabbing nearly 41 rebounds per game to control the boards.
In stark contrast, the Utah Jazz limp into this matchup struggling to find their footing, sitting at a dismal 3-10 on the season and losers of their last two games. The Jazz have been plagued by an anemic offense, scoring just 107.2 points per game on the year while shooting a pedestrian 44.4 percent from the field and a woeful 33.9 percent from deep. Their recent five-game stretch has been slightly better offensively, but they've still struggled to keep pace, averaging just 112 points while allowing 116 points per game.
One bright spot for Utah has been their work on the boards, where they've averaged a robust 43.4 rebounds per game this season. However, their inability to take care of the ball has been a glaring issue, coughing it up a concerning 17.2 times per game. The Jazz will need to find a way to improve their offensive efficiency and cut down on costly turnovers if they hope to keep pace with the red-hot Lakers.