GAME 5: Blown Opportunity
November 7th 2013, Jazz (2-3) lose heartbreaker to Lakers (2-3) 98-96
By Tyler Warren
The Utah Jazz led 13 at the half, they led by 9 at the 4th quarter, and midway through the 4th they led by 11. Kobe Bryant was having an offnight, and Enes Kanter was imposing his will on Chris Kaman. With all of these things in mind, it seemed like the Jazz would win the game.
The Lakers went on an 11-0 run to tie the game with 40 seconds left on the clock. The Lakers went to Kobe Brant, even though he had shot only 2-12 for the night. Bryant was clutch, and made the Lakers lead by 2 with a fadeaway jumpshot.
The Jazz went to Kanter, who missed a shot close to the rim after being heavily defended. Favors rebounded the shot however, and gave it to Burke. Burke dribbled out the clock, and took a final shot that would have sent the game into overtime. The shot missed, and the Jazz went from 13 up to losing the game to a rival team.
The MVP of the game would have to be Pau Gasol. Gasol had 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks, imposing his will as a seasoned veteran. Chris Kaman and Nash played well, and Kobe Bryant won the game for the Lakers even though he had a rough night.
The Jazz were led by Kanter with 20 points and 3 steals. Several bench players performed well too, with Burks, Evans, McNeal, and Gobert playing solid in limited time.
The Lakers play the Golden State Warriors on November 9th, The Jazz have back to back games on the 9th and 10th against the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
LAKERS
-P. Gasol: 22 Pts, 12 Reb, 2 Blk, 9-10 FT
-S. Nash: 11 Pts, 8 Ast, 2 Stl
-C. Kaman: 14 Pts, 8 Reb, 2 Blk
-K. Bryant: 13 Pts, 6 Reb, 5 Ast, 3-13 FG
-S. Jackson: 11 Pts, 3 Reb, 3 Ast
JAZZ
-E. Kanter: 20 Pts, 5 Reb, 3 Stl
-D. Favors: 10 Pts, 7 Reb, 1 Stl, 2 Blk
-A. Burks: 11 Pts, 5 Reb, 2 Stl
-B. Rush: 10 Pts, 2 Blk, 2-3 3PT
-J. Evans: 9 Pts, 2 Stl, 3-3 FG