National Basketball Association

Lakers vs Jazz: Preview, prediction, and analysis

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Lakers vs Jazz will give Los Angeles a chance to start the season 2-0.

Following their impressive start to the season at home against Houston, Los Angeles is back at it as the Lakers vs Jazz takes center stage.

This time they’ll be taking the Jazz head on. Utah came close to making the postseason a year ago, but ended up on the outside looking in.

The final stop for Kobe Bryant’s career game against the Jazz last season, so this game will show us our first fair comparison of any improvements the team has made.

Winning against the Rockets was great, but Luke Walton understands that there’s more work still to do.

Walton shared his specific thoughts with the media following the team’s season opener:

Los Angeles has gotten much improved play from point guard D’Angelo Russell, and that’s a major reason why they won.

Outside of his performance though, Jordan Clarkson has demonstrated he’s willing to step up to the challenge of being the leader.

The true test will come when the youth of the Lakers comes to clash with the newly acquired veterans on the Jazz.

Joe Johnson along with former Indiana Pacers star George Hill are now in Utah, ready to disrupt the flow of their young opponents.

The hope is that the Lakers survive their early road test. Once done in Utah, the team will face the Thunder, Pacers, and Hawks.

Brandon Ingram is also playing well, scoring nine points in his debut. Although important, Ingram is taking a back seat to the leadership from Russell and Clarkson.

Four of the Lakers’ first five games of the season were scheduled away from Staples Center.

Los Angeles is determined, but Golden State is their next home opponent.

Tonight is a winnable game for Los Angeles. Experience isn’t as relevant at this point in the season as momentum, and the Lakers have the latter.

Prediction:

Los AngelesLakers105

UtahJazz101

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