Lakers avoid 0-3 start, thump Jazz

Los Angeles, CA – Playing their third game in as many nights, in excuse to come out sluggish against the fresh Jazz.

But Los Angeles came out hitting on all cylinders to avoid its first 0-3 start since 1978-79 by rolling past Utah, 96-71, as Mike Brown earned his first win on the Lakers bench.

Kobe Bryant netted 26 points with a bad wrist, while Pau Gasol added 22 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers, who lost to the Bulls and Kings in their furious start to the regular season.

The Jazz were playing their first game and rusty, hitting just 32 percent from the field. Paul Millsap led the way with 18 points and eight boards.

With Tyrone Corbin at the helm, Utah began the season with a head coach not named Jerry Sloan for the first time since the 1988-89 campaign.