Preview: Lakers Conclude Trip In Utah

The Lakers head into Utah looking to complete their 4 game road trip on a high note.

Los Angeles is coming off a 102-100 victory against the Mavericks, snapping their 4-game losing streak in Dallas.

Kobe Bryant, LAL SG

“It’s a big win for us,” Kobe Bryant said after the game. “We had to stop the bleeding. We got a big lead, but it wasn’t the way we wanted to close out the game. But we got the win.”

Bryant scored 29 points, but it was Vladimir Radmanovic’s night as he scored 21 points, including 10 in the final period, lessening the effect of losing Pau Gasol.

The Lakers led by as many as 25 points, but the Mavericks rallied in the 2nd half, giving the Lakers a scare. “They were pretty thick-headed tonight,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said on the team’s late meltdown.

Lamar Odom scored 17 points and grabbed 17 rebounds. “The win was big. It was a tribute to our defense,” said Odom. “We got stops when we needed to, even though Dirk and Jason Terry hit some big time shots.”

Adding to the Lakers’ injury woes, Kobe Bryant “jammed” his hip Tuesday, but later added it wouldn’t be an issue.

“I’m good. I’m straight,” said Kobe. “I jammed my hip into the socket. It hurt for a minute and then released. I’m fine.”

The last time the Lakers were in Utah, they fell to a short-handed Jazz team, which was missing F Carlos Boozer and C Mehmet Okur. “It’s frustrating because they just outworked us tonight,” Kobe Bryant said on November 30th after falling to Utah. “They beat us to every ball and every rebound.”

Los Angeles and Utah are seperated by 2 games in the tight Western Conference playoff race.

Jazz Starting 5:

Injury Report:

Mehmet Okur: Stomach Flu - Uncertain

Lakers Starting 5:

Injury Report:
Trevor Ariza: Broken Foot - Out
Andrew Bynum: Left Patella Subluxation - Out
Chris Mihm: Right Ankle Bursitis - Out
Pau Gasol: Sprained Left Ankle - Out Indefinitely
————————————————————————–
Time: 7:30pm | TV: KCAL/9 HD, TNT | Radio: KLAC AM 570, ESPN 1330