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Five takeaways from Lakers’ victory over Utah Jazz

Lakers guard Ronnie Price, bottom, battles Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum for a loose ball during the first half of the Lakers' 98-91 exhibition win Sunday.
(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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The Lakers trailed the Utah Jazz by 22 points and another exhibition embarrassment was on the way. Or so it appeared. Instead, the Lakers started playing defense and took a 98-91 victory Sunday at Staples Center.

1. The Lakers had 17 steals against the Jazz, an incredible number for any game at any time. In fact, the Lakers forced 29 turnovers. Score one (finally) for Coach Byron Scott’s commitment to defense.

2. Kobe, Kobe, Kobe. As usual. Does anything ever change around here? There were doubts after he played only six games last season, and some may still exist, but he had 26 points in 32 minutes Sunday. If he shot better than seven for 22, Lakers fans would have been overjoyed. And also if this wasn’t merely, you know, exhibition season.

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3. It looked as if rookie Julius Randle would have another quiet night after getting one of his shots swatted away forcefully by 7-foot-1 center Rudy Gobert. But he recovered and played his best exhibition so far — eight points, five rebounds and two blocked shots in 20 minutes.

4. The Lakers made a three-pointer! The Lakers made a three-pointer! After failing to make one in their last two games, they were four for 13 against Utah. It wasn’t great accuracy, but 30.8% beats 0%.

5. Ronnie Price, the Lakers’ fourth-string point guard, didn’t shoot well but handed out 10 assists. He doesn’t have a fully guaranteed contract but a place on the team is almost a shoo-in if Steve Nash continues to have back problems.

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