Have we gotten to the point where we’re just hoping the Lakers can stay competitive in games without LeBron James and Anthony Davis? Yes. And down their two superstars for perhaps the final time this season, the rest of the roster gave a worthy effort for the opening three quarters before seeing Utah pull away in the fourth to win comfortably, 122-109.
The effort was spearheaded by one of Dwight Howard’s best games of the year, as he totaled 21 points and 12 rebounds while Russell Westbrook had 24 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds. Donovan Mitchell, though, continued to be a thorn in the Lakers' side this season with 29 points, while Rudy Gobert exposed the Lakers lack of height with 25 points and 17 rebounds.