Five takeaways from Lakers’ loss to Utah

Mantra for the weekend for Lakers fans: 41 games down, 41 to go. Here are five takeaways from the Lakers’ 94-85 loss at Utah on Friday.

1) It was a three-way race for which starter was the Lakers’ least effective Friday. Jeremy Lin might have earned the nod with his poor shooting accuracy (three for 10, six points), but Wesley Johnson and Ed Davis were equally unimpressive (five points and four rebounds each). Yawn.

2) Jordan Hill’s outside shot has become a decent weapon, but he’s going to it too often. He took 15 shots against Utah, made eight, and had 16 points. He needs to post up more often to get to the free-throw line.

3) Nick Young said he took a “spiritual walk with God” to help get out of his slump. He had 23 points and made four of nine shots, a welcome change for a player who was shooting 27.6% this month coming into the night.

4) Jordan Clarkson didn’t shoot well (one for six) but was aggressive in driving to the basket and made all four of his free throws. Might be only a matter of time until Byron Scott gives the rookie more minutes.

5) Former Lakers assistant coach Quin Snyder has done a nice job in his first season as Utah’s head coach. And he has a young roster that will only get better.