Lakers return from China, beat Jazz 108-94

[October 23, 2013]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Jordan Farmar scored 13 of his 20 points during a 3:17 span of the fourth quarter, and the Los Angeles Lakers got double-digit scoring from three other reserves en route to a 108-94 preseason victory over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night.

The Lakers' starting frontcourt of Pau Gasol, Nick Young and Shawne Williams had nine points each. Los Angeles (3-4) closed with an 11-0 run that included nine free throws, after Utah's Alec Burks cut the margin to 97-94 on a tip-in with 4:52 remaining.

The Jazz (1-5), who were the only team in the league last season to finish with a winning record and miss the playoffs, had six players in double figures. Former Laker Brian Cook had 18 points, while Gordon Hayward added 15 and Burks 14.

The Lakers, returning from a trip to China in which they lost two games to the Golden State Warriors, overcame an early 12-point deficit and led 51-45 at halftime with 14 points by reserve swingman Wesley Johnson.

Derrick Favors, the third overall pick in the 2010 draft -- one spot ahead of Johnson -- missed five of his first six shots and finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds three days after signing a 4-year, $49 million contract extension with the Jazz.

Forward Mike Harris, the second player off the Utah bench, picked up his fourth offensive foul and fifth of the game with 4:33 left in the third quarter. He played 12 scoreless minutes.

Lakers center Chris Kaman sat out the game after missing practice the previous two days because of gastrointestinal distress. Kobe Bryant continues to work himself back into playing shape following his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon in April and a troublesome right knee that took him to Germany recently for platelet-rich plasma treatment and acupuncture. There is no timetable for his return to the lineup.

The Lakers close out their exhibition schedule Friday night against the Jazz at Anaheim before opening open the regular season next Tuesday against the Clippers. Utah hosts Oklahoma City in its opener next Wednesday.

[Associated Press]

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