Jazz Vs. Lakers: Utah Seeks To Salvage Disastrous Road Trip In L.A.

The Utah Jazz stormed into the season with an incredible romp through the Southeast that resulted in four comeback wins against some of the league's best teams (and also Charlotte). But all roosters come home to roost, because roosters are stuck-up little creatures, the roosters are roosting in Salt Lake.

Meanwhile, the Jazz are out on the road listening to those roosters' calls echoing off of the Rocky Mountains and losing badly to bad teams. Utah is winless four games into a five-game road trip that ends tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers (10:30 PM ET, NBA TV). On this trip, the Jazz have lost by an average of 12 points a game to the Wizards, Nets, Celtics and 76ers.

The Jazz's offense is all out of whack, scoring just 86 and 85 in the Boston-Philly back-to-back. This has been, in recent years, a highly efficient attack led by Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap. Boozer made way for Al Jefferson, and while the former Wolf has played well, there's a drop-off. More minutes for Millsap haven't been the cure of late, leaving Williams with too heavy a load. That's hurt Deron's efficiency, perpetuating the cycle.

The Lakers, meanwhile, prepare to kick off a five-game homestand highlighted by a Sunday showdown with the Celtics. The Lakers need to add some more wins during the stay in L.A.; after the homestand ends, 10 of the Lakers' next 12 games will be played away from Staples Center. (One of those two home games will be a virtual home game for the opposing Clippers, too.) With New Orleans, Oklahoma City and presumably Dallas breathing down L.A.'s neck, stacking up a lead for No. 2 in the West now would be helpful.