Game Preview: Lakers get Jazzy with Utah in town Sunday night

The Los Angeles Lakers have endured back-to-back nailbiters and could use some smooth melodies to bring things back home. Thankfully the Utah Jazz are in town, though it won't be a waltz for the Lakers to dance away with a win Sunday night. Utah is on the second half of a back-to-back, so this could be a good opportunity for the Lakers to seize.

Kobe Bryant and D'Angelo Russell are both considered questionable for the game. Russell attempted to play on his sprained ankle but checked out after logging close to eight minutes. Kobe had another solid game after his extended three-game rest, and with Russell's status in the air, would be a huge help if he's able to lace up his Kobe XIs. (Update: Both Bryant and Russell, in addition to Brandon Bass, will miss the game against Utah)

Rudy Gobert missed 18 games from early-December but has played the previous two, getting back to his rim-protecting ways. He logged four blocks in 28 minutes against the Miami Heat Saturday night. Gordon Hayward's scoring a team-high 19.2 points per game while shooting 39 percent from three-point range, and with the Lakers' lack of perimeter defense, expect to see a heavy dose of the Terran hero.

Closing out the weekend with hoops is the only way to go. If you're spending your Sunday evening tuned in to some Jazz and Lakers action, enjoy the game!

Time: 6:30 p.m. PT

TV: TWCSN, RTRM+