SALT LAKE CITY — From a player-availability standpoint, the Lakers’ four-game trip didn’t get off to a great start. They were without four rotation players – including a starter – on Sunday night against the Utah Jazz.
But the Lakers nearly got the most they could out of the players available on Sunday, leading to a 105-104 victory at Delta Center.
Anthony Davis (game-high 33 points and 11 rebounds) and LeBron James (27 points, 14 assists, five rebounds) played at their typical high levels.
But it was the role players stepping up that helped get the Lakers over the hump, putting them at 12-8 on the season.
Gabe Vincent, starting in place of Austin Reaves (left pelvic contusion) had his most productive offensive game since signing with the Lakers last summer, scoring 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting.
Sunday was Vincent’s first double-digit scoring outing in his 30 regular-season games as a Laker.
Max Christie lived at the free-throw line, scoring eight of his 12 points at the charity stripe on a night the Lakers had a 20-10 made free-throws advantage.
Rui Hachimura (13 points, seven rebounds – three offensive rebounds – and two steals) came up with multiple big non-scoring plays late.
And when the Lakers needed a jolt of offense as part of a 19-point fourth quarter, they needed the James-Davis pick and roll, with James assisting Davis on a midrange jumper to put the Lakers up 103-99 with just under two minutes remaining.
James made a layup over a minute later to keep the Lakers in front, 105-102.
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The Jazz (4-16) were led by Lauri Marrkanen’s 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
The matchup against the Jazz was the first night of a back-to-back for the Lakers, who’ll play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday at Target Center as part of their four-game road trip.
They’ll wrap up the trip with matchups against the Miami Heat on Wednesday and the Atlanta Hawks on Friday.