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Hollywood comes to the snowcapped mountains of Salt Lake City.
In a rematch from three nights ago, Utah hosts the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night at Vivint Arena. Tipoff is set for 8:15 p.m. MST.
The Jazz return home for the first time in a week, having gone 2-1 on a recent road trip in games against Dallas, the Lakers, and the Clippers.
After a tough three-point loss to the Mavericks — a game in which Utah was right there in the end — they rebounded with a dominating 130-116 win over the Lakers Friday night. They kept the mojo going two nights later when, after giving up a third quarter lead, took down the Clippers after ending the game on an 18-6 run.
"These guys want to win," head coach Will Hardy said Sunday night. "They don't care who's out there as long as we get the win. We're just proud of the group and the way they stick together. … I love the fact that our team just keeps going no matter who's in the game."
Meanwhile, after a slow start for Los Angeles, the Lakers appeared to be putting things together when they took down playoff contenders Denver and New Orleans in back-to-back games. But then the Jazz came to town and, with their prolific offense, took down Los Angeles. The Lakers also fell on Sunday afternoon to Donovan Mitchell and Cleveland, giving them a two-game losing streak heading into the rematch.
What makes Utah's rise to the top of the Western Conference standings so startling is that they entered this season with far more questions and unknowns than nearly any team in the league.
After a fire sale over the summer when four starters were traded and a rookie head coach took the reigns, many in the league figured the Jazz would be running for the top pick in the upcoming draft.
Instead, all Utah has done is develop into one of the deepest teams in the NBA, armed with two players playing at an All-Star level in Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson. Hardy has emerged as a great in-game manager who makes the proper adjustments at the perfect time. This team is prolific from beyond the arc and plays tough-nosed, physical defense — all of which have been the perfect recipes for success.
While one game won't take away from Utah's sensational start, it does have the chance to put a seed of doubt into minds. That makes Monday's showdown against the Lakers vital — a team desperate for a win against one still looking to prove themselves worthy.
Buckle up; Monday night at Vivint Arena is sure to be fun.
STATS
Utah (8-3, 4-0 home / No. 1 Western Conference)
Offense
*116.4 Points Per Game (No. 10 in NBA)
*114.1 Offensive Rating (No. 8 in NBA)
Defense
*111.8 Points Per Game (No. 12 in NBA)
*109.0 Defensive Rating (No. 8 in NBA)
*Lauri Markkanen: 21.8 points | 9.4 rebounds | 2.7 assists
*Jordan Clarkson: 17.9 points | 5.3 assists | 4.6 rebounds | 39.3% 3P-shooting
*Collin Sexton: 14.4 points | 2.9 rebounds | 39.5% 3P-shooting
*Mike Conley: 12.4 points | 7.1 assists | 40.4% 3P-shooting
Los Angeles Lakers (2-7, 0-3 away / No. 14 Western Conference)
Offense
*107.6 Points Per Game (No. 27 in NBA)
*102.7 Offensive Rating (No. 30 in NBA)
Defense
*113.8 Points Per Game (No. 16 in NBA)
*108.2 Defensive Rating (No. 5 in NBA)
*Anthony Davis: 22.5 points | 11.1 rebounds | 2.5 assists | 2.1 blocks
*Russell Westbrook: 15.6 points | 6.1 rebounds | 6.1 assists | 32.4% 3P-shooting
*Troy Brown Jr.: 9.9 points | 5.9 rebounds | 32.1% 3P-shooting
MATCHUP TO WATCH
*Collin Sexton vs. Russell Westbrook
— Two of the more elite sixth men, Sexton and Westbrook are only getting better as the season progresses. After struggling to find his footing after such a long injury layoff, Sexton has been better than advertised by averaging 18.4 points his last five games. Likewise, Westbrook has been much better since coming off the bench, averaging 18.8 points and 7.2 assists over his past five games.
INJURY REPORT
Utah
QUESTIONABLE | Jarred Vanderbilt (right adductor soreness)
Los Angeles Lakers
PROBABLE | Anthony Davis (low back tightness)OUT | LeBron James (left foot soreness)
OUT | Lonnie Walker IV (non-COVID illness)
OUT | Patrick Beverley (non-COVID illness)
OUT | Thomas Bryant (left UCL repair)
OUT | Dennis Schroder (right UCL repair)
OUT | Cole Swider (G League Two-Way)
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Time: 8:15 p.m. MST
Location Vivint Arena/ Salt Lake City, UT
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: 1280 The Zone