Los Angeles @ Utah preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 11, 2019 ) L.A. Lakers 95, Utah 113

The Utah Jazz look to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers for the 13th time in 15 meetings when the teams meet Wednesday in Salt Lake City. The Jazz are a hot squad entering the contest with seven wins in their last eight games and reside in sixth place in the Western Conference.

Utah defeated Chicago and Phoenix by an average of 32 points in its last two games as the club's selfless nature has been on display. "We're an unselfish team. We move the ball. We share the ball, and we play together," Jazz forward Joe Ingles told reporters. "We've never worried about someone shooting too much or not enough." The Lakers defeated Washington 124-106 on Tuesday to record back-to-back wins for the first time since mid-January. LeBron James registered 23 points and 14 assists for Los Angeles, which lost 20 of 26 games before the consecutive triumphs over Sacramento and the Wizards.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE LAKERS (33-41): Los Angeles may opt to sit James on Wednesday in the second end of a back-to-back set, and coach Luke Walton indicated the decision will be made on Wednesday. "I feel pretty good," James said during a postgame television interview. "I don't know what the rest of the season is going to hold for me as far as how many games I end up playing. But when I do suit up, then it's my job to go out and produce and help this team win ballgames, no matter what the situation is." Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 29 points against the Wizards, which was six shy of the season high he notched versus Milwaukee on March 19.

ABOUT THE JAZZ (44-30): Rudy Gobert scored a season-high 27 points in Monday's 125-92 home trouncing of Phoenix, and his 275 dunks are the most in a single season since the NBA began keeping the statistic in 2000. "Compared to last year, I have way more lobs, way more high passes this year, and it puts me in a great position to finish," Gobert told reporters. "It's a great offensive play. It's hard to guard, it puts a lot of pressure on the defense." Derrick Favors scored 18 points against the Suns on 9-of-13 shooting and has made 25-of-37 field-goal attempts over his last four games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Lakers have lost their last seven visits to Utah, including a 113-95 setback on Jan. 11.

2. Jazz SG Donovan Mitchell recorded only 10 points against Phoenix on 4-of-14 shooting - his lowest output since scoring three against Portland on Dec. 21.

3. Los Angeles C JaVale McGee recorded 20 points and 15 rebounds against Washington and is averaging 23.3 and 16.3 over his last three contests.

PREDICTION: Jazz 120, Lakers 97