SALT LAKE CITY— The Lakers won their fourth straight game on Sunday, leading Utah Jazz 108–106 Delta Center is led by Luka Doncic with 33 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.
Lakers (12-4) nearly blew a 10-point lead in the final six minutes and 36 seconds, allowing the Jazz to cut the lead to one with 41.3 seconds remaining on a 3-pointer from Lauri Markkanen. The Utah crowd that cheered loudly Lakers It finally broke out for the home team when the Finnish striker saved his shot.
Markkanen could have given the Jazz (5-11) the lead with a key shot from 17 feet, but the mid-range jumper fell away with 11.4 seconds remaining. After Doncic split a pair of free throws, the Lakers forced Jazz guard Keyontae George into a contested three at the buzzer to seal the win.
LeBron James, playing his second game of the year, had 17 points and eight assists. Austin Reeves had 22 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.
Starting center Deandre Ayton missed the second half with a right leg contusion. He had just two points in the first half on 1-for-2 shooting while Doncic still led the Lakers by seven points.
The guard continued to struggle with his 3-point shot, missing seven of his first eight shots from beyond the arc on Sunday, but again impressed with his play. He intercepted a pass, flipped the ball between Kevin Love's legs on a fast break and passed to Jaxson Hayes. The roar from the crowd of Lakers supporters was as loud as anything the Jazz did.
When Doncic drew a triple team in the paint, he threw a two-handed overhead pass to Marcus Smart, who knocked down a three to put the Lakers up 55-49.
The Lakers entered the game shooting 33.8% from three, ranking 24th in the league. Doncic and Reaves, the team's leading scorers, faced the most challenges. Reeves was one of eight from three on Sunday. Doncic made three of 12, including shots so off course they barely grazed the rim.
When he finally made it over the hoop in the third quarter, Doncic extended both arms in disbelief and relief as the ball bounced high and through the net.
