Lakers vs. Jazz Preview and Game Thread: Last one before the All-Star break

The Lakers look to make it seven wins in a row as they take on the Jazz again before heading into the All-Star break.

The Lakers, fresh off a 19-point home victory against the Utah Jazz on Monday, will play them again on Wednesday, on the road this time.

L.A. is looking for their seventh straight victory as they aim to enter the All-Star break as winners of 13 of their last 15 games. This is also the final time they will face the Jazz this season.

Start time and TV schedule

Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz

When: 7:30 PST, Feb 10.

Where: Crypto.com Arena

Watch: ESPN, Spectrum Sportsnet

The Lakers did a good job on Monday welcoming their newest superstar, Luka Dončić, to town while making sure they added to the win column. I know the blockbuster Dončić trade has dominated all the headlines surrounding the purple and gold, and rightfully so, but don’t also let that distract you from how well L.A. has been playing.

Remember that frustrating loss to the Spurs at home exactly a month ago? Well, since then, L.A. has won 11 out of their last 13 games. In this span, they’ve not only had the best record in the league, but also the best defense. They’re second in net rating, sixth in offense and have played six straight games where they’ve reached at least 120.

This is easily the best stretch the purple and gold have put together in years.

There was no better way to enter the All-Star break. Honestly, if you told me last September that L.A. would be 32-19 before the All-Star break, I’d be pleasantly surprised, to say the least. If you also told me that Luka would be Laker by this time, I’d think you’ve been smoking. It’s been that kind of a season.

Now, the Lakers have the opportunity to close out a successful first half of the season on an even stronger note. Wednesday’s match against the Jazz will be a rematch on Utah’s home floor, so expect a better fight from them.

Besides being on the road, the only difference for L.A. in this one is that they will not have Gabe Vincent and Dorian-Finney Smith, two players who have been crucial to the team’s success lately. Fortunately, the Lakers have enough depth to make up for their absence.

As I mentioned in my most recent preview, this Utah team has no defense and we saw that when the Lakers scored 72 points in one half alone. Utah’s best fighting chance is if one or two of their guys get hot, which can happen on Wednesday.

Remember, this Jazz team can surprise their opponent on any given night when they decide they’re serious about winning a game. Hopefully, that won’t be the case in this one.

For the Lakers, it would be ideal for Dončić and LeBron James to get more reps together. It would also be nice to see Austin Reaves — who put up 22 points on 6-10 shooting last game — keep up his high level of play as of late. Every minute these three spend together on the court is vital and it’s good that they know that as they continue to figure out their fit while aiming to win games.

L.A. can once again win this game with their effort alone, especially if they have the advantage on the rebounding battle (44-39) and ferociously attack the paint, where they manufactured 58 points from last game. There are many ways the Lakers can beat the Jazz and, hopefully, they will treat us to another dominant victory before they enter their one-week break.

Let’s see if the Lakers can make it seven in a row as they look to defeat the Jazz again on Wednesday.

Notes and Updates

• The Lakers are 3-0 against Utah this season, which means that if they beat the Jazz, they will complete a season sweep.
• For the Lakers’ injury report, LeBron James (left ankle soreness) and Austin Reaves (left elbow contusion) are probable. Luka Dončić (left calf strain) and Bronny James Jr. (left forearm muscle strain) are questionable.
• Meanwhile, Finney-Smith (left ankle soreness), Maxi Kleber (right foot surgery recovery), Cam Reddish (personal reasons) and Vincent (left knee soreness) are out.
• As for the Jazz, Taylor Hendricks (right fibula fracture), KJ Martin (reconditioning) and Colin Sexton (left ankle sprain) are out.
• In case you missed it, the Lakers signed center Alex Len via the buyout market and waived Christian Wood on Tuesday. You can read all about that here.
• We will be live on Playback for this game, so be sure to join us!

You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.