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Utah Jazz to host LeBron-less Lakers: Preview and live comment stream

By Jared Woodcox

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 23: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Utah Jazz on November 23, 2018 at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 23: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Utah Jazz on November 23, 2018 at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Utah Jazz will do battle against a Los Angeles Lakers squad that will be without LeBron James and a number of other players.

The Utah Jazz find themselves on the national stage on Wednesday night as they’ll take on the Los Angeles Lakers on ESPN. Although the Lakers have been eliminated from the playoffs, this is still a big game as the Jazz have a chance to make a statement in front of a large audience and continue their dominant play.

Coming into the contest, the Jazz are riding a streak of seven wins in eight games and are in an ideal spot to climb to fifth place in the West as they trail the LA Clippers by a mere half game. With the playoffs quickly approaching, each win is extremely important and this battle is no exception.

Fortunately for Utah, though, the Lakers will be without superstar LeBron James who will sit out the contest due to ‘load management’. With Los Angeles out of postseason contention, they’re taking no chances with their best player and instead looking towards the future and what they hope will be a fortunate draft position. While this will certainly lower the entertainment value of the game, it should up Utah’s chances of winning.

The bad news for Jazz fans is that they won’t get a chance to see James’ losing streak in Salt Lake City extend this year. He’s been defeated seven straight times in the Beehive State, but this absence will be his second one of the season in Utah, meaning the streak will stand pat.

Nevertheless, the Lakers boast a scrappy squad that the Jazz can’t afford to take for granted. Guys like JaVale McGee and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope certainly stepped up a night ago and prolific young forward and former University of Utah standout Kyle Kuzma is another player that can’t be overlooked.

Nevertheless, without LeBron James and with the ridiculous abundance of additional injuries plaguing the Lakers, I have a hard time seeing them having anywhere close to the necessary steam to beat the Jazz on their home court. That’s especially true considering that the Lakers are just 13-24 on the road.

In other words, expect a big win for the Jazz tonight against a depleted and fatigued opponent playing on the back end of a back-to-back whereas Utah is coming in off rest.

My Prediction: Jazz 119, Lakers 97

Next. Utah Jazz: Rudy Gobert could be a long shot for All-NBA honors. dark

The game tips at 8:30 PM MT and be sure to join the conversation in our live comment stream below!

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