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Postgame Storylines

Lakers Fall Behind, Fail to Recover

The Utah Jazz came out with more energy than the Lakers in this game. As a result, the Jazz avoided the 1-4 start the Lakers are now stuck with. Utah ran early and often, beating the Lakers down the floor so badly that Mike Brown used an early timeout to berate Pau Gasol for his failure to retreat quickly enough on defense. Neither the Lakers (nor Gasol, who had just five points in 36 minutes) ever recovered. Utah rode it's early eight-point advantage the rest of the way, ultimately winning by just nine.

The Laker Bench

There's not a lot left to say. The Laker bench has been pinpointed as a weakness since the beginning of the season, and it certainly didn't do anything to prove that analysis wrong against the Jazz. Metta World Peace was 3-for-12 from the field in 37 minutes, Steve Blake was 2-for-10 and no other L.A. reserve topped four points. Until the Lakers can find somebody to produce anything at all off the bench, the aging and/or injured Lakers' starters will continue to log heavy minutes. And that's a huge problem for such a top-heavy team.

Balanced Jazz

Nine Jazz players totaled at least 13 minutes in the game, but none scored more than Al Jefferson's 18 points. Utah's balanced, deep attack helped wear the Lakers down. More than that, there were plenty of fouls to use on Dwight Howard and the rest of the Lakers, who went to the line a total of 46 times. Howard made just 5-of-12 from the stripe.

A Question of Effort

The overwhelming takeaway from this contest was that the Lakers, for whatever reason, seemed lethargic—even disinterested. Kobe Bryant didn't start playing until there were only five minutes left in the game. Dwight Howard spent too much time chirping at fans. Pau Gasol, always an emotional wildcard, simply disappeared after Brown chewed him out in the first quarter.

Whether it's dissatisfaction with the coach, frustration with a failing offensive and defensive strategy or simple fatigue, the Lakers looked flat-out awful. Utah didn't play particularly well, but the Jazz certainly played harder. Mike Brown's got some things to fix.

It'll be interesting to see if the Lakers are interested in letting him.

Final Score: Jazz 95, Lakers 86

Box score via NBA.com

Final Score: Jazz 95, Lakers 86

Lakers Leaders

Bryant: 29 points, 4 assists, 5 rebounds, 15-17 FT

Gasol: 5 points, 7 rebounds

Howard: 19 points, 9 rebounds, 5 TO

Jazz Leaders

Jefferson: 18 points, 10 rebounds

Millsap: 7 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists

Foye: 17 points 5-9 3FG

Mo Williams: 16 points, 7 assists

Final Score: Jazz 95, Lakers 86

Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE

This one's over. Lakers foul, down seven, with 16 seconds left. Really poor effort by L.A. and a solid showing by the Jazz.

Jazz 91, Lakers 84—:16 remaining in 4th quarter

Kirby Lee-US PRESSWIRE

The Lakers have very real issues, as evidenced by this game. Depth, defense, age and health are all going to be problems for L.A.

Utah looks, in a stark contrast, deep, hungry, young and healthy. They'll contend for a playoff spot.

Jazz 91, Lakers 84—:25 remaining in 4th quarter

Lakers have completely scrapped the offense in favor of some Kobe "hero ball" down the stretch. He's going to the line every time down as Jazz struggle to hang on to a single-digit lead. Kobe has shot 17 free throws in this one.

Jazz 91, Lakers 82—1:15 remaining in 4th quarter

Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

Lakers are outrebounding Jazz by eight and are plus-28 in free-throw attempts. Shooting 32 percent makes those numbers matter a little less.

Jazz 87, Lakers 76—2:51 remaining in 4th quarter

Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE

Kobe Bryant, suddenly interested in this game, is going into Kobe mode. But with less than four minutes left, it's probably too late. For such a great player, there are way too many games like this in his catalog.

Jazz 85, Lakers 76—3:40 remaining in 4th quarter

Probably not the way to defend Kobe.

Gordon Hayward just picked up his fifth foul, running into Kobe Bryant on a 3-pointer.

— Bill Oram (@tribjazz) November 8, 2012

Jazz 85, Lakers 74—3:45 remaining in 4th quarter

Kirby Lee-US PRESSWIRE

Steve Blake, MWP and Jamison are a combined 6-for-22. Not sure if I have a bigger problem with the percentage or the fact that they've taken 22 shots between them.

Jazz 85, Lakers 72—4:15 remaining in 4th quarter

Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

Jordan Hill has 12 rebounds off the bench for the Lakers. I'm as surprised as you are.

Jazz 81, Lakers 70—6:00 remaining in 4th quarter

Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE

Randy Foye getting wet. Three triples in a row.

Jazz 76, Lakers 68—6:45 remaining in 4th quarter

That's what I just said.

Jazz 70, Lakers 64—8:40 remaining in 4th quarter

Dwight Howard just made Enes Kanter fall down, had his dunk blocked by Derrick Favors, was fouled and still finished. So strong.

— Bill Oram (@tribjazz) November 8, 2012

Jazz 70, Lakers 64—8:40 remaining in 4th quarter

Handout/Getty Images

Dwight Howard might not be getting off the floor like he used to, but he is strong. Dunk and the foul cuts the Jazz lead to six with a free throw to come.

Jazz 70, Lakers 64—8:40 remaining in 4th quarter

Not sure this is a good thing.

Dwight was doing the talking as the Lakers broke the huddle to start 4Q with Kobe on the bench.

— KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) November 8, 2012

Jazz 70, Lakers 64—9:00 remaining in 4th quarter

Lakers Leaders:

Bryant: 14 points, 6 rebounds

Gasol: 5 points, 5 rebounds

Howard: 14 points, 5 rebounds

Jazz Leaders:

Jefferson: 8 points, 9 rebounds

Mo Williams: 16 points, 3 assists

Kanter: 9 points

Favors: 6 points, 6 rebounds

Jazz 65, Lakers 57—Start of the 4th quarter

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Big and-1 by Marvin Williams. He was drafted ahead of Chris Paul. I have no joke for this one.

Jazz 63, Lakers 56—:28 remaining in 3rd quarter

Lakers are inching back into this one because the Jazz can't stop fouling. Utah with 21 personal fouls to Lakers' eight. L.A. has plus-20 free-throw attempt differential.

Jazz 60, Lakers 54—2:00 remaining in 3rd quarter

Who's up for more Nash? If you said you're not, too bad. You don't get a vote. Also, we can't be friends anymore.

Jazz 60, Lakers 53—2:51 remaining in 3rd quarter

Harry How/Getty Images

A Steve Blake three-pointer cuts Utah's lead to seven. The Princeton offense is working perfectly!

Jazz 60, Lakers 53—3:00 remaining in 3rd quarter

Harry How/Getty Images

Does Pau Gasol have incentives in his contract for yelling? He's good for one ridiculous scream (usually in an attempt to draw a foul whenever anyone touches him) on almost every trip down the floor.

Jazz 60, Lakers 48—4:45 remaining in 3rd quarter

This explains it.

Mo Williams on a tear w/ 16 points. He's as pissed as the Chris Paul trade as the Lakers are. For him it cost him his starting spot w/ Clips

— Mark Medina (@MedinaLakersNBA) November 8, 2012

Jazz 60, Lakers 47—5:27 remaining in 3rd quarter

Steve Blake is really brave.
Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

If the Princeton offense is designed to get either Steve Blake or Metta World Peace contested looks, it's working perfectly.

Jazz 58, Lakers 45—6:10 remaining in 3rd quarter

Does this count as "hope" for the Lakers?

Gordon Hayward has had a splendid night defensive, but just picked up fourth foul. Only scored 3 points.

— Bill Oram (@tribjazz) November 8, 2012

Jazz 56, Lakers 45—7:10 remaining in 3rd quarter

If things keep looking so ugly for the Lakers, can we just watch Steve Nash videos instead?

Jazz 55, Lakers 43—7:39 remaining in 3rd quarter