Donovan Mitchell, Jazz Hand LeBron James, 4th consecutive loss for the Lakers | Launderer report

Notable player statistics

• Donovan Mitchell, G, UTA: 13 PTS, 10 REB, 8 AST, 2 STL
• Rudy Gobert, C, UTA: 18 PTS, 9 REB
• Mike Conley, G, UTA: 14 PTS, 8 AST, 8 REB, 2 STL, 4 of 6 3PT
• Jordan Clarkson, G, UTA: 18 PTS, 4 REB
• LeBron James, F, LAL: 19 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST
• Montrezl Harrell, F, LAL: 16 PTS, 6 REB

Lakers Jazz Steamroll Balanced in Statement Win

The Jazz may not prove themselves to skeptics heading into the playoffs after two back-to-back first-round outings, but managing the defending champions on a national broadcast presented an opportunity to make a statement.

Perhaps it was fitting, then, that the underrated Conley was the best player on the pitch for stretches right out of the gates just a day after being snubbed from the all-star list. He immediately caught fire from depth executing the attack and controlling the tempo.

It was far from a one-man show as the Jazz took a 16-point lead. Clarkson was electric on the bench, Bojan Bogdanovic found his deep shot and Gobert controlled the boards.

The fact that Utah had such an intermission lead against a championship contender even though All-Star Mitchell was just 1 in 8 shooting from the field underscored the team’s overall depth.

To Mitchell’s credit, he found other ways to influence the game even when his shot wasn’t falling. He worked in pick-and-roll with Gobert and Derrick Favors to create easy-rim looks for the grown-ups and fought for the boards even from the backcourt.

The effort helped the Jazz continue to ride well into the second half, especially when they connected from deep and got into the lane to bolster their own scores.

Six players scored in double digits for Utah, which proved that you don’t have to rely on one or two players to win every night. There’s outside shot, rim protection, a regular playmaker in Conley, and a must-have option that can light up the scoreboard or create for others in Mitchell.

The Jazz are a contender for the championship, and they watched the game on Wednesday.

LeBron plays less minutes in blowout loss

There is good news and bad news for the Lakers at this point.

The good news is, they know they don’t need a field advantage to win a title after doing it last season at Walt Disney World Resort. The regular season is just a dress rehearsal for a team that is in championship or bust mode and will be much better when Davis and Schroder return.

The bad news is that the Lakers appear as vulnerable as they have been since the 2018-19 non-playoff campaign and are putting a lot of miles on the legs of 36-year-old James. In fact, he came into play averaging 38.2 minutes per night in February after playing 43 in Monday’s overtime loss to the Washington Wizards.

Los Angeles couldn’t have been much worse at first, especially on the defensive end, as Utah connected on an open perimeter and had plenty of open lanes to the rim.

If there was a silver lining, it was the realization that LeBron wouldn’t have to bear so much of a critical-time blowout load.

Even when he was there for much of the third quarter, the King contented himself with jumping outside and didn’t exactly press opposing ball handlers or chase anyone in the open ground. It remained the visitors’ best offensive option, however, with a soft midrange feel and the ability to subdue defenders to the rim on some possessions.

It was nowhere near enough against the Burning Jazz, but James was at least able to sit for the entire fourth quarter.

And after?

Both teams are in action Friday when the Lakers host the Portland Trail Blazers and the Jazz travel to face the Miami Heat.