Lakers’ losing streak ends with victory over Utah Jazz, 110-99
Lakers 110 - Utah Jazz 99 (end of regulation)
The Lakers held off a late Utah rally to defeat the Jazz, 110-99, ending a six-game losing streak.
Kendall Marshall had a career night, notching his first career double-double with career marks in points (20), assists (15) and rebounds (6). His long three-pointer with 45.7 seconds left on the clock ended any chance the Jazz might have at a comeback.
Marshall, who recently joined the team from the NBA Development League, started in place of Steve Nash (back), Steve Blake (elbow), Jordan Farmar (hamstring), Kobe Bryant (knee) and Xavier Henry (knee) at point guard.
Pau Gasol also resurged after a long battle with bronchitis and a sinus infection, scoring 23 points with 17 rebounds. He fell two assists shy of a triple-double.
Gordon Hayward led the Jazz with 22 points. Rookie point guard Trey Burke scored six but dished nine assists. Veteran Richard Jefferson also scored 16 as the Jazz shot 44.2% from the field.
The Lakers had six players in double figures including Jodie Meeks (18), Nick Young (15), Wesley Johnson (11), Shawne Williams (10), Gasol and Marshall. Johnson returned from a game off with gastroenteritis.
The team shot 51.9% from the field and 41.7% (10-24) from three-point range.
The Lakers (14-19) will host the Denver Nuggets (15-17) on Sunday. The Jazz (11-25) are off until Tuesday, when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder (25-7).
Lakers 83 - Jazz 67 (end of third quarter)
The Lakers coasted through the third quarter, pulling back ahead of the Jazz by 16 points.
Both Kendall Marshall and Pau Gasol notched double-doubles. Marshall had 13 points and 11 assists in 28 1/2 minutes. Gasol led both teams with 19 points and 13 rebounds.
Gordon Hayward was Utah’s high scorer with 17 points but his team shot just 38.5% from the field.
The Lakers hit 53.3%, including 47.1% from three-point range. Five Lakers were in double figures including Jodie Meeks (13), Wesley Johnson (11), Shawne Williams (10), Marshall and Gasol.
Lakers 52 - Jazz 40 (halftime)
The Lakers kept a double-digit lead over the Utah Jazz by halftime, although the Jazz were able to whittle off six points from the Lakers’ advantage.
Pau Gasol led all scorers with 16 points on 8 of 12 shooting along with eight rebounds.
Kendall Marshall dished nine assists in 20 minutes with seven points and four rebounds.
The Jazz were led by Gordon Hayward and Enes Canter, who both had eight points for Utah. As a team, the Jazz shot just 35.6% from the field.
The Lakers shot 55.3%. Both teams turned the ball over four times in the first half.
Lakers 30 - Jazz 12 (end of first quarter)
The Lakers didn’t sign Kendall Marshall expecting to need him but with so many injuries and yet Marshall started for the team Friday night against the Jazz -- scoring seven points with five assists and three rebounds.
The Jazz struggled, shooting just 6-26 from the field (23.1%). Jeremy Evans scored four to lead the team.
The Lakers hit 64.7% from the field, leading by as many as 19 in the period.
Pau Gasol was the game’s leading scorer with eight on 4 of 6 shooting.
Pregame
The Lakers (13-19) have struggled with injuries, resulting in a six-game losing streak. They’ll host the Jazz (11-24), a team that recently edged the Lakers, 105-103, in Utah a week ago.
Utah has improved significantly since getting point guard Trey Burke back from a finger injury.
Kendall Marshall will make his first start for the Lakers, filling in for injured point guards Steve Nash (back), Steve Blake (elbow) and Jordan Farmar (hamstring). Also injured are guard Kobe Bryant (knee) and forward Xavier Henry (knee).
Wesley Johnson will come off the bench after missing a game with gastroenteritis. Center Robert Sacre will move back into the starting lineup with power forward Pau Gasol, swingman Nick Young, guard Jodie Meeks and Marshall.
For a more in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers vs. Utah Jazz.
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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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