Lakers vs. Jazz NBA Preview: Luka's Chance for a Big Game?

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00:00Speaking of teams that know each other, didn't Utah just play L.A. the other day? Okay, let's

00:04do it again. Lakers minus eight tonight. I know the Jazz are not playing good defense,

00:08so we're probably going to see, I would say, a fairly big game for Luka. If you look at the

00:13odds tonight, my gosh, his point total is 25 and a half. I think if I'm not mistaken, Gilbert,

00:18Utah is like bottom two defensively in the NBA, so if there was ever a time for a breakout party,

00:26I know he was okay in the last game, let's not get it twisted, but if there was ever a breakout

00:29time, maybe tonight's the night. Absolutely, and I think there's no better way, in all respect,

00:34due to the Jazz. They have some talented players on that roster, but this is a team that isn't

00:38winning very much, and to ease a player like Luka Doncic in two games against the Jazz is probably

00:43the perfect scenario and situation to do so. We talk about the Jazz's defense, and they've

00:47struggled a lot with prolific guards this season, from C.J. McCollum to St. Gil's Alexander, they

00:54both had really big games, so if Luka Doncic, who is currently questionable for tonight's game,

00:59is indeed in the lineup, it could be another game where he takes another step towards getting back

01:03to that form. You could tell there was a little rust there that he needs to shake off, and they're

01:06going to take a cautious approach because they're not worried about how he's performing in February

01:10and late February. They want to get him to 100% in April, and they hope May and potentially beyond

01:16as well. I do think LeBron James is probable for this game. He also had a very solid performance,

01:21so again, that's another one to keep a close eye. If Luka Doncic does not play, I think we could see

01:26some big nights from LeBron James and Austin Reeves as passers and scorers in this game,

01:31just the way that Utah's defense is. But on the Utah side, they have a front court advantage.

01:35John Collins had a pretty good game last time, Walker Kessler, if he's back in the lineup as

01:39well. So I do like the Lakers in this one. I think they take care of business, but the way

01:43the injury report shakes out will determine how the game goes.