Lakers drop their 50th game of the season, 80-73 to the Jazz

The Lakers hit the 50-loss mark on Thursday night, falling to the Utah Jazz in a low-scoring battle, 80-73, at Staples Center on Thursday night.

Gordon Hayward led all scorers with 22 points. He also had five rebounds and five assists. Reserve Trey Burke added 17 points, while Derrick Favors scored 14 and Trevor Booker 10.

Neither team led by double digits. Utah held an early nine-point lead, but the game was close throughout with seven ties and 17 lead changes.

Tarik Black notched just the third double-double of his NBA career with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Wesley Johnson fouled out with 12 points.

Carlos Boozer gave the Lakers 11 points off the bench. Ed Davis contributed eight points and eight rebounds while Jordan Hill scored four with 10 rebounds. Jordan Clarkson finished with eight assists and five rebounds.

Jazz rookie starters Rodney Hood and Dante Exum combined for two points on zero-for-11 shooting.

The Lakers shot 40.3% from the field but missed nine free throws in 17 tries (47.1%) and had 16 turnovers.

Utah shot 40.3% while converting 21 of 31 from the line (67.7%). The Jazz committed 15 turnovers.

With the loss, the Lakers (17-50) drop their fourth in a row. They’ll next host the Philadelphia 76ers (16-52) on Sunday at Staples Center. The Jazz (31-37) visit the Golden State Warriors (54-13) on Saturday.

Jazz 58, Lakers 55 (end of third quarter)

The Jazz pulled reclaimed the lead heading into the final quarter with a three-point advantage.

Gordon Hayward and Trey Burke lead all scorers with 13 apiece for the Jazz, who are shooting only 38.8% from the field. Trevor Booker has 10 points, five rebounds and four assists in 20 minutes.

Tarik Black notched the third double-double of his career, with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Wesley Johnson contributed 10 points.

The Lakers are shooting 42.1% from the field, although they’ve missed seven of 12 free throws (41.7%). The Jazz were only slightly better, converting 12 of 18 (66.7%).

Lakers 36, Jazz 33 (halftime)

Despite falling behind by as many as nine points, the Lakers ended the first half ahead of the Jazz by three.

Tarik Black leads the Lakers with seven points and 10 rebounds in 15 minutes. None of his teammates have scored more than four points.

Trey Burke is the game’s high scorer with 13 points on three-of-five shooting from three-point range.

Utah shot only 35.5% from the field while holding the Lakers to 42.1%. Both teams had eight turnovers, but the Lakers held a 27-18 rebounding advantage.

Jazz 18, Lakers 16 (end of first quarter)

Known for their defense, the Jazz held the Lakers to only 16 points in the first quarter.

Six different Lakers scored two points apiece while Tarik Black leads the team with four points.

Utah got six points from Joe Ingles. The Jazz are shooting 37.5% from the field and 37.5% from behind the arc (3 of 8).

The Lakers are shooting 38.1%, missing one three-point try while attempting no free throws.

Pregame

The Lakers (17-49) host the Utah Jazz (30-37) on Thursday night at Staples Center.

The Jazz lost a close one on Wednesday at home to the Washington Wizards (40-28).

For the Lakers, Nick Young is out with a knee injury while Ronnie Price (elbow), Kobe Bryant (shoulder), Julius Randle (knee) and Steve Nash (back) are all done for the season.

Utah’s Alec Burks (shoulder) is out for the season. Elijah Millsap is questionable with a concussion.

For an in-depth breakdown, check out check out check out Preview: Lakers vs. Utah Jazz.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus