NBA -- Jazz stomp Lakers with 50th loss of the season
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 21 Mar 2015
CHICAGO -- What has been a challenging, injury-riddled campaign just got uglier for the Los Angeles Lakers, who lost for the 50th time this season after the visiting Utah Jazz roughed them up, 80-73, on Thursday night.
The Utah Jazz made only 25 of their 62 field goals at Staples Center, but it was more than enough to hold off the Lakers, who were equally dismal from the field, sinking just 31 of 77 shots, including a 3-for-11 fare from 3-point range. The Lakers also missed an alarming 9 of their 17 free throws.
Utah's Gordon Hayward absorbed a nasty fall while driving through the teeth of L.A.'s defense, but he dusted himself to finish with a game-high 22 points on an efficient 5-for-10 shooting. Hayward also had 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals.
Trey Burke contributed 17 points off the bench for the Jazz while teammates Derrick Favors (14 points and 7 rebounds) and Trevor Bookers (10 points) added significant contributions as well.
Tarik Black led the Lakers with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Wesley Johnson had 12 and Carlos Boozer had 11.
It's the second straight season in which the Lakers have reached the 50-loss mark. They bottomed out at 55-27 last season.
The victory improved the Jazz record to 31-37, breathing some life in their faint playoffs hopes. But the postseason is an uphill climb considering that Utah is 7 games behind the last playoffs berth in the Western Conference with 14 games left in their schedule.
"We're just taking it game by game. We're getting better as a group, and it's definitely encouraging the way we've played. As far as the playoffs are concerned, we're not mathematically out yet and we're going to fight every game," Hayward told the Associated Press. (HDS)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Guro Dan Inosanto: Guardian of the Filipino Fighting Spirit
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Fri, 27 Jun 2025Weigh-In Results: Christian Mbilili vs. Maciej Sulecki
Fri, 27 Jun 2025Unbeaten Philippines Top Prospect Criztian Pitt Laurente Signs with Sanman Boxing
Fri, 27 Jun 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS PROMISING AMERICAN HEAVYWEIGHT SARDIUS SIMMONS
Fri, 27 Jun 2025Madoka Wada Halts Chay Rivas in Tokyo, Retains OPBF Belt
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Jun 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: The Grand Prix a Grand Concept
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Thu, 26 Jun 2025PHOTOS: Pacquiao Showcases Vintage Form During Media Day Workout at Wildcard Gym
By Dong Secuya, Thu, 26 Jun 2025Press Conference Notes: Christian Mbilli & Maciej Sulecki Collide for Interim Super Middleweight World Title FRIDAY in Quebec City
Thu, 26 Jun 2025Rivas vs Wada: Battle for Women’s OPBF Supremacy Today in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Jun 2025Mexican boxing icon Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez Respects Cuban fighters & rivalry
Thu, 26 Jun 2025Claressa Shields Partners with King Moore to Empower Detroit Youth with the “Follow Your Dreams” Program Presented by SMT Financial Partners
Thu, 26 Jun 2025Saturday’s title defense vs. Yuniel Dorticos could be prelude to mega-fight for Gilberto Ramirez against Jake Paul or Unification showdown with Jay Opetaia or Badou Jack
Wed, 25 Jun 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 June 2025: Norman Flattens Sasaki; Simsri Edges Araneta; Rodriguez Outpoints Yafai
By Eric Armit, Tue, 24 Jun 2025FM Daluz rules 7th AQ Prime FIDE Standard Open chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 24 Jun 2025Ancajas awaits call to join card
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 24 Jun 2025