SALT LAKE CITY _ The Los Angeles Lakers dropped their road opener on Friday night, 96-89, to the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
Lou Williams led the Lakers with 17 points, while small forward Luol Deng notched a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Five Jazz players hit double digits, led by guard George Hill who finished the game with 23 points.
Where they played for a raucous home crowd in their season opener, their energy had to come from within on Friday. Lakers Coach Luke Walton warned his players about that effect in the day between games, when he urged them to quickly forget their season-opening win over the Houston Rockets.
Friday's game provided a different challenge. Their shots didn't fall as easily as they did in the opener. The game was more physical and more contentious. Julius Randle and Timofey Mozgov both picked up technical fouls, Mozgov after his fifth personal foul.
Point guard D'Angelo Russell did a nice job creating shots for his teammates, but started the game 0-for-7, making his eighth shot attempt in the fourth quarter.
Russell's first make came at an opportune time. His three gave the Lakers a 73-72 lead late in the fourth quarter. Deng followed with a three to give the Lakers a 76-72 lead. It was the last time the Lakers led.
The Jazz went on an 11-0 run that was too much for the Lakers to overcome.
