Jazz use balanced attack to hand LeBron, Lakers largest deficit of season

Utah Jazz show multiple ways to win in a blow-out victory over LA Lakers

Mike Conley was not named an All-Star reserve Tuesday night. Neither was he named as the replacement All-Star participant in leu of the absence of Anthony Davis.

Mike Conley is 1 of 5 players in NBA history with at least 12,000 pts, 4,000 assists, 1,200 steals and 0 All-Star selections.

The others: Derek Harper, Jason Terry, Rod Strickland, Andre Miller.https://t.co/DAVgKG1xaF

— Stathead (@Stathead) February 24, 2021

But he came out blazing against the defending champion Lakers on a National Broadcast, scoring 8 of the first 10 for the Jazz and not missing until the second half. 

we see you, mike pic.twitter.com/fIKlofzcDp

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 25, 2021

After Mike Conley carried the Jazz through the first quarter, the rest of the Jazz got going in the second quarter, putting up 39 points. Several coming from Jordan Clarkson.

Jordan Clarkson is inevitable 💧#MACU3 | @MountainAmerica pic.twitter.com/j567gUTaY6

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 25, 2021

Clarkson came out to play against his former team, shooting with uninhibited ambition. And they went in. 

cant tell you the last time ive seen a greener light than 2021 Jordan Clarkson. feels like the ball is already shot before it touches his fingertips. just remarkable confidence.

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) February 23, 2021

The very game following breaking the franchise record for three-pointers made in a game (28), the Jazz tied the franchise record for threes in a half, ringing in 14 through the first two quarters. Even though the newly-minted Salt Lake Splash Brothers went just a combined 3-9 in the game. 

Did we just become best friends!?
YUPPPPP! @Joeingles7 pic.twitter.com/kNH4IXjqtQ

— Georges Niang (@GeorgesNiang20) February 23, 2021

The Lakers clearly made it a point to stick to shooters in the second half but the Jazz answered by spreading the floor and running pick-n-rolls with Rudy--resulting in several alley-oops for the big man. The frustration for the Lakers was evident. After one Gobert dive and dunk, Harrel turned and yelled at Kyle Kuzma, who was covering Bojan Bogdanovic (5-8 from three in the game) in the weakside corner, for not rotating and cutting off the Gobert roll. Kuzma just shrugged and pointed at Bogdanovic. 

The choice of stopping Gobert's rolls or sticking to shooters has confounded opponents all season and has been a key to Utah's success, even on nights when their leading scorer Donovan Mitchell, is shooting poorly. 

And while Donovan was struggling to hit shots, he still found ways to make winning plays. 

All-Star connection 🌟#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/ber5zpoCnC

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 25, 2021

in a crowd 🕷#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/Y3vjEurIf0

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 25, 2021

don't sleep 😴#TakeNote | @spidadmitchell pic.twitter.com/uVlVgD2fRx

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 25, 2021

All in all, Mitchell went just 4-16 from the field but he finished with 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals, all to just 1 turnover. 

The Jazz had six players score 12 or more points, to just three for the Lakers. Leading to the largest deficit the Lakers have faced this season, 29 points. 

Up next, the Jazz will take on the Miami Heat Friday. 

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