Los Angeles Lakers: 3 games to watch post-All-Star break

1. Los Angeles Lakers @ Utah Jazz (April 3)

The third game I’m looking forward to seeing is the Los Angeles Lakers trip to Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Jazz. These two teams met all the way back on Oct. 28 in Utah, a game the Jazz won convincingly, 96-81. Both teams have made strides since the first month of the regular season, and the matchup puts three of the best rookies in the NBA on one court.

In that game, Jazz rookie and 2018 Slam Dunk Champion Donovan Mitchell led the team with 22 points. Mitchell’s presence in games hasn’t stopped, and I think the Lakers can throw multiple defenders at him in this game that could make things tougher this time around.

Rookie Josh Hart is inserted into the rotation now, and is a strong defender. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope presents another large, quick-footed guard defender on the perimeter to throw at Mitchell. This defensive flexibility in the backcourt gives the Lakers a good matchup when they opt for defensive-minded lineups.

The matchup between Mitchell and Lonzo Ball is worth viewing by itself. Both play completely different styles, but are visually appealing in their own ways.

Outside of Mitchell, the Lakers will have their problems scoring on a Jazz defense anchored by Rudy Gobert. The Frenchman is the best paint defender in the NBA and stifled the Lakers last time around, who lead the NBA in points in the paint per game.

Next: 2017-18 Week 19 NBA Power Rankings

Every game offers its own set of matchups and storylines. These are the three I’m looking forward to most for the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers’ season.