The Los Angeles Lakers got off to a slow start against Chicago and Sacramento, but the team bounced back to dominate a bad Utah Jazz team on Tuesday night by a score of 96-71. The game was seemingly over just a few minutes into the third quarter and it was a blowout by the start of the fourth. It was an interesting matchup to say the least, with the Jazz playing their first game of the season while LA was at the end of a back-to-back-to-back stretch.
Kobe Bryant continued to play well despite torn tendons in his wrist and ended his night with 26 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in 31 minutes. Perhaps his most impressive feat on Tuesday was the Lakers +/- numbers with Bryant on the floor (33), which was higher than any other player. Pau Gasol played well as he scored 22 points and brought down nine rebounds, while Ron Arte -- I mean Metta World Peace -- scored 15 points off the bench.
Paul Millsap led the way for Utah with an efficient 18 points, while Josh Howard added 10 of his own. Those were the only two players for Utah to reach double figures offensively. Enes Kanter, who was making his NBA debut after being drafted this past summer, scored eight points and brought down 11 rebounds, although he shot 1-for-7 from the field.
This was a much-needed win for Los Angeles and will hopefully get the team back on track. They'll have a day of rest on Wednesday before welcoming in the Knicks on Thursday. The game will be televised on TNT.
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