Lakers vs Jazz Preview: Injury Report, TV Stream, How to Watch

After sweeping their two-game road trip, the Lakers look to continue piling up wins as they face Utah Jazz home Tuesday. This will be the second NBA Cup game for both teams in Group B.

Start time and TV programme

WHO: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz

When: 7:30 PM PT, November 19

Where: Crypto.com Arena

Clock: Spectrum SportsNet

It didn’t take long for the Lakers to put together a five-game winning streak this season. This is certainly an encouraging sign, especially since it took until March for Los Angeles to do so last season. And not to jinx it or anything, but the best thing about this streak is that it’s sustainable considering how the purple and gold have been playing lately.

The Lakers will be at home – where they remain undefeated – for the next three games. Tuesday’s game will be an NBA Cup game, where Los Angeles is also undefeated dating back to last season. It’s nice to be on the right side of these streaks and hopefully, contrary to the famous saying, they don’t intend to be broken.

In order for the Lakers to maintain their winning streak – whether it’s their overall record, at home or in the NBA Cup – some aspects of their game still need to improve. Let’s start by looking at it from the point of view of their matchup against the Jazz:

Can the Lakers defense still improve?

That’s what I’ll pay most attention to in Tuesday’s game against Utah, which employs two speedy, productive starting guards in Jordan Clarkson and Colin Sexton. Clarkson and Sexton are the exact type of guards the Lakers defense struggled to contain early in the season, especially before replacing D’Angelo Russell in the starting lineup for Cam Reddish.

In addition to their backcourt, the Jazz also have a talented frontcourt with Lauri Markkanen and John Collins, two of their top scorers on the team. So this game will be a good test for the Lakers’ overall defense because the only way Utah can keep up with them is if one or two of their players get hot.

The Jazz, who rank fifth in points allowed, will likely have no matchup on the defensive end against the Lakers’ top-five offense.

Can the Lakers handle the Jazz early?

Maybe it’s the fact that the Lakers have had way too many nail biters lately, but it would be nice to see Los Angeles take care of Utah early. This is not to say that the Jazz will be a walk in the park as no opponent is in today’s NBA, but it is important to note that they have struggled to start the year. They have won just three of their first 10 games and were on a six-game losing streak to begin the season. They will also be at their third game in four nights.

A good indicator of whether or not a team’s streak is legitimate is based on how they dominate teams outside of the playoffs. Hopefully the Lakers can do that against a Jazz team that won’t give them this game easily. Let’s see if the Lakers can make it six straight and remain undefeated both at home and at the NBA Cup on Tuesday.

Notes and updates

• The Lakers’ latest injury report says Anthony Davis (left plantar fasciitis) is probable for Tuesday. Meanwhile, Rui Hachimura (left ankle sprain) remains questionable. Cam Reddish, who sat out the New Orleans Pelicans with a right peroneal strain, is no longer on the roster.
• The usuals: Jarred Vanderbilt (right foot recovery), Jaxson Hayes (left ankle sprain), Christian Wood (left knee recovery) and Jalen Hood-Schifino (left groin soreness) to remain out. Bronny James (left heel contusion) is doubtful.
• As for the Jazz, Walker Kessler (right hip) and Taylor Hendricks (right fibula) are out.
• We will be live on Playback for this game, so be sure to join us!

You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglanI.