Talk about stepping up.
With All-Srar Carlos Boozer sidelined with an injury, do-it-all forward Andrei Kirilenko upped his game and ended up with a triple-double: 20 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. AK47 completed his wonderful stat line by adding 6 steals and 4 blocks. But more importantly, the Utah Jazz manhandled the Lakers by 24 points, 120-96.
How did the Lakers lose to a supposedly shorthanded team? Simple, the Jazz played crisper offense and defense. The Lakers were out-rebounded (48 vs. 34), shot more poorly (51% to 44%), and played had more turnovers (20 vs. 13). The game was so bad that Javaris Crittenton got some tick.
The only bright spot for the game for the Lakers was Jordan Farmar, who erupted for 21 points with three 3-pointers.
Tags: Lakers
