Tag: Utah Jazz

LeBron James claps back after Jazz broadcasters criticize his shoeless celebration (Lebronwire)

The Lakers finished a dominant game Wednesday with LeBron James on the bench, so LBJ took the shoes off his feet and gave them away to young fans … only to be criticized for celebrating while wearing socks on the bench. No good deed goes unpunished.

The Lakers finished a dominant game Wednesday with LeBron James on the bench, so LBJ took the shoes off his feet and gave them away to young fans … only to be criticized for celebrating while wearing socks on the bench. No good deed goes unpunished.

LeBron James claps back after Jazz broadcasters criticize his shoeless celebration (Hoopshype)

The Lakers finished a dominant game Wednesday with LeBron James on the bench, so LBJ took the shoes off his feet and gave them away to young fans … only to be criticized for celebrating while wearing socks on the bench. No good deed goes unpunished.

The Lakers finished a dominant game Wednesday with LeBron James on the bench, so LBJ took the shoes off his feet and gave them away to young fans … only to be criticized for celebrating while wearing socks on the bench. No good deed goes unpunished.

LeBron James responds to criticism from Jazz announcers who accused him of being ‘disrespectful’

LeBron James responds to criticism from Utah Jazz announcers who accused him of being ‘disrespectful’ during Los Angeles Lakers win on Wednesday.

The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Utah Jazz by 25 points on Wednesday to improve their record to 19-3 on the season. LeBron James recorded a double-double during the 121-96 victory while scoring 20 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in only 29 minutes of work. But while spending time on the bench in the fourth quarter–after the Lakers had built a 23-point lead heading into the final period–the Jazz television broadcast team took offense to the way LeBron was supporting his teammates out on the floor.

During the Utah broadcast of the game, the Jazz announcers accused James of being “disrespectful” for celebrating on the sidelines without his shoes. What they seemed to simply overlook was the fact that LeBron had given his shoes to a couple of young Jazz fans in attendance after confirming with his coaching staff that he would not be returning to the game.

Below is a video of some of that commentary during the broadcast.

At other points throughout the final minutes of the game, the Utah announcers added the following according to Trevor Lane from Lakers Nation.

In a direct response to the criticism, LeBron posted the following on his Instagram account this morning.

View this post on Instagram

Imagine doing your job at the highest level to where you’re not needed anymore, giving your shoes to a lil girl and boy who you inspire and hoped you made proud that night, then cheering on your teammates cause you love seeing them succeed more than yourself only to be criticized while doing it. People it’s the world we live in and you can’t let it ever stop you from your purpose in life. Negativity, bad energy, hate, envy, etc etc will try to bring you down throughout your journey and it’s up to you on how you handle it. I handle it by simply saying “Thank You” with a 😁 on my face and continue to push forward while doing it! LIVE.LAUGH.LOVE 🙏🏾❤️👑

A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames) on

“Imagine doing your job at the highest level to where you’re not needed anymore, giving your shoes to a lil girl and boy who you inspire and hoped you made proud that night, then cheering on your teammates cause you love seeing them succeed more than yourself only to be criticized while doing it.

“People it’s the world we live in and you can’t let it ever stop you from your purpose in life. Negativity, bad energy, hate, envy, etc etc will try to bring you down throughout your journey and it’s up to you on how you handle it. I handle it by simply saying “Thank You” with a 😁 on my face and continue to push forward while doing it! LIVE.LAUGH.LOVE 🙏🏾❤️👑”

[lawrence-related id=22862]

[lawrence-related id=22805]

LeBron James ‘felt bad’ for refs after his brain had ‘malfunction’ on travel

LeBron James is always willing to sell for a call, but even he felt a little bad for the refs after his uncalled walk vs. Jazz.

If you deceive someone when you’re not even trying, it’s just not that fun. Which is probably why LeBron James felt bad about getting away with one of the most egregious traveling violations you will ever see in Wednesday night’s otherwise fun-filled night for the Los Angeles Lakers as they cruised to a win at Utah, 121-96.

After the game, James was asked about the walk and double-dribble on him that wasn’t called and said that he felt bad for the refs because they are judged by the calls that they make and he feels like that missed call was on him, according to Kyle Goon of the Southern California News Group.

James is no stranger to selling contact or yelling to get a call, but he clearly felt bad about something he had no intention of doing and also really didn’t have any impact on the game itself. Nevertheless, the entire scenario from the action itself to James apologizing to the refs after halftime and then the postgame apology makes for a pretty hilarious gaffe in a Lakers season that has been mostly blooper-free.

Anthony Davis dominates, LeBron dishes and Lakers win big at Jazz

Anthony Davis was dominant but LeBron James and the rest of the squad did plenty in Wednesday’s statement win at Utah.

Less than 24 hours after putting up their best win of the young season, the Los Angeles Lakers didn’t rest on their laurels and continued on a path that is looking ever more like one to a championship as they pummeled the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night, 121-96.

Anthony Davis was dominant on both ends with 26 points, six rebounds and three blocks, completely outplaying Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert as Davis looked ready to take over Gobert’s Defensive Player of the Year award. While Davis dominated all over the court, LeBron James continued to quarterback the Lakers offensive attack on his way to 20 points and 12 assists to add to his league-leading assist total.

In addition to the play of the two stars, the Lakers had a complete outing from basically everyone on the team. Kyle Kuzma had 13 points and three blocks while Rajon Rondo had 14 points and 10 assists, including a stretch where he reeled off eight straight points in the early moments of the fourth quarter. Dwight Howard was also dependable on the glass once again and also had three blocks.

In a welcome change from last night’s tight finish against the Nuggets, the Lakers were able to finish Wednesday’s game with James and Davis getting to rest for most of the fourth quarter.

After the Lakers’ loss on Sunday to the Dallas Mavericks to begin the month of December, the Lakers have emphatically answered critics about their home-heavy early-season schedule by sweeping the most difficult back-to-back there is in the NBA.

 

LeBron James got away with mind-boggling travel and NBA fans went nuts

LeBron James can apparently do as he pleases.

You ever find yourself doing something at work and when you suddenly realize your mind has wandered and you forget what you were actually supposed to be doing while on the job?

Well, that apparently happened to LeBron James during Wednesday night’s Lakers-Jazz game in Utah.

One of the greatest players to ever play the game was casually dribbling the ball up the court when he seemed to forget for a few steps that he had to keep dribbling. He then remembered that and started dribbling again and no call was made.

Seriously, how did the refs miss this from King James:

Nothing? Really!?

NBA fans couldn’t believe it:

[opinary poll=”whos-the-goat-_forthewin” customer=”forthewin”]

[jwplayer rfrVUksM-q2aasYxh]

LeBron James got away with a hilarious travel Wednesday night at Jazz

LeBron James got away with a hilarious traveling violation in the first half of the Los Angeles Lakers game against the Jazz on Wednesday.

Maybe it was the fact the Los Angeles Lakers were on the second night of a back-to-back but for a brief moment in Wednesday night’s game against the Utah Jazz, it looked like LeBron James had forgotten exactly where he was.

As the Lakers jumped out to a 34-26 lead in the first quarter, LeBron James appeared to think he was in a summer pick-up game rather than on an NBA floor playing against the Utah Jazz. Luckily for LeBron, however, the referees who were watching him may have forgotten where they were either.

During this possession in the first quarter, James picked up his dribble to take three steps before starting his dribble again. It looked like he was making sure everyone knew what the score was or something.

LeBron’s basketball IQ is regarded as the greatest in the game but even LeBron’s once-in-a-lifetime basketball brain isn’t immune to the effects of travel and fatigue. Nevertheless, despite the brief brain fart, James has his squad in a good position to come out of their treacherous Denver-Utah back-to-back with a 2-0 record.

 

Los Angeles Lakers at Utah Jazz odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Los Angeles Lakers at Utah Jazz sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Los Angeles Lakers (18-3) travel to Salt Lake City to face the Utah Jazz (12-9) Wednesday with tip-off coming just after 9:00 p.m. ET at Vivint Smart Home Arena. We analyze the Lakers-Jazz odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.

Lakers at Jazz: Key injuries

Lakers

  • PG Avery Bradley (lower leg) out

Jazz

  • PG Mike Conley (hamstring) out

Lakers at Jazz: Odds, lines, picks, and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Lakers 107, Jazz 103

Moneyline (ML)

The Lakers have won nine of their last 10 games and are a league-best 9-1 on the road this season.

The Jazz 8-1 at home.

Back LOS ANGELES (+110) as a slight underdog even with Anthony Davis (illness, shoulder) on possible load management watch.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Los Angeles to win outright would profit $11.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Lakers are 12th best against the spread on the road with a mark of 5-5 and come in 1.2 points per game above the cover line. Utah is just 4-5 ATS at home and falls an average of 0.1 points per game below the cover line.

Los Angeles is 3-2 ATS in its last five games while Utah is 2-3.

Lean to LOS ANGELES (+2.5, -115) to lose by two or fewer points, or win outright. It delivers a profit of $8.70.

Over/Under (O/U)

The projected total is set at 208.5 (Over: -120, Under: +105). Los Angeles allows just 103.7 points per game and Utah yields 105.1 per contest. These are two teams around the middle of the pack when it comes to pace. Los Angeles ranks 22nd at 100.41 possessions per game and Utah is 17th at 100.93.

A bigger concern is the Lakers have connected on the Under in six straight games. AVOID.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @ChrisWasselDFS and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]

Lakers in Utah to face out of tune Jazz who have lost four of five

The Los Angeles Lakers continue their three-game road trip on Wednesday night against the Utah Jazz, who have hit a rough patch.

After coming through with their most impressive win of the young season last night in Denver, the Los Angeles Lakers will look to complete the NBA’s most difficult back-to-back 2-0 as they are in Salt Lake City to take on a Utah Jazz squad with high expectations in the middle of their first rough patch of the season.

The Jazz are finally back home for a few games after ending their five-game road trip 1-4. The bad trip has put into focus some issues the Jazz have had to begin the season, such as the struggles of former Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley and a slight drop-off in production from starting forward Joe Ingles.

Donovan Mitchell can still take over a game, but often he and Bojan Bogdanovic are asked to do everything for the Jazz offensively. On the flip side, their defense has taken a significant step back from the elite level they’ve been on for the last few seasons. According to Basketball-Reference, the Jazz are No. 10 in defensive rating after finishing in the top-three in the league in defensive rating in each of the previous three seasons.

However, the Jazz entered this season seen by many as a dark horse title contender. While they are in the midst of a bad stretch, the opportunity to come home and lick their wounds before hosting the best team in the West on a second of a back-to-back is the exact type of opportunity that can bring back belief in their season.

 

 

LeBron James on Anthony Davis: ‘He’s the Defensive Player of the Year’

Los Angeles Laker LeBron James on teammate Anthony Davis this season: ‘He’s the Defensive Player of the Year’

Anthony Davis entered the Los Angeles Lakers matchup with the Denver Nuggets battling flu-like symptoms. But that didn’t stop him from slowing down All-Star center Nikola Jokic and making key stops at the rim when it mattered most. In addition to scoring 25 points and collecting 10 rebounds, Davis was huge down the stretch defensively and held Jokic to just 13 points on 4-of-12 shooting with five turnovers.

Following the Lakers 105-96 win over the Nuggets that improved their record to 18-3 on the season, LeBron James continued to sing A.D.’s praises on the defensive end of the floor. James finished with 25 points, nine assists and six rebounds while declaring Davis the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year during his media session after the game.

“He’s been doing it all year,” LeBron said of Davis according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “Playing through injuries, playing through illness like he did tonight. He’s the Defensive Player of the Year, and he showed tonight once again playing one-on-one versus ‘Joker’ in the post.

“When there were switches, going on with Jamal Murray, playing one-on-one versus a small. Got stop after stop after stop. Just a monster game for him.”

Seven of A.D.’s rebounds came on the defensive end and he also finished with one block while earning a game-high plus/minus of +11. The Lakers as a team held Denver to 40% shooting from the field and just 20% from 3-point range. A.D. is now averaging 2.7 blocks per contest which is good for second in the NBA overall behind Jonathan Isaac at 2.8.

Los Angeles will continue their road trip tonight when they meet a Utah Jazz team that will be another tough test–especially on a back-to-back. The Jazz are currently at 12-9 on the season and feature a unit that ranks among the top-10 in the NBA in defensive rating. While their offense has struggled thus far, the Jazz are still led by Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert who the Lakers will need to meet with energy and effort once again defensively.