Utah @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 3, 2018 ) L.A. Lakers 110, Utah 117

The Utah Jazz are on the verge of clinching a spot in the Western Conference playoffs as they carry a four-game winning streak into a road matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. The Jazz are in fourth place in the West entering Saturday and two games behind third-place Portland with three to play.

Utah took care of both Los Angeles teams - the Lakers and then the Clippers - in a 2-0 homestand that had the squad playing some of its best basketball at the perfect time. "We almost pulled off a complete 48-minute game," forward Jonas Jerebko told reporters after the 117-95 win over the Clippers on Thursday. "We played well at both ends of the floor and played Jazz basketball." The Lakers bounced back from their loss at Salt Lake City to defeat the San Antonio Spurs before falling to Minnesota 113-96 on Friday at home. Rookie star Kyle Kuzma suffered a left ankle sprain and is day-to-day as the season winds down.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah), Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE JAZZ (46-33): Seven different players scored in double figures and Utah shot 53 percent from the floor in the rout of the Clippers. Rookie Donovan Mitchell led the way with 19 points and Rudy Gobert made all six of his field-goal attempts en route to his ninth double-double in the last 13 games. "Tonight we were just tighter. We had more connectivity as a group," coach Quin Snyder told the media. "I think our guys understood what an important game this was. As you move forward every game matters in a significant way."

ABOUT THE LAKERS (34-45): Kuzma already was dealing with a right ankle injury and it might be time to think about shutting him down and getting a jumpstart on the offseason. "My body feels great. At the end of the day, it is just my ankles," he told reporters. "I can't tell you anything right now [about playing in the final three games] ... [this latest ankle injury is] just really throbbing. [It's] a little different than my last one. My last one was an inside sprain. This is an outside sprain." Fellow rookie Josh Hart continues to be a force on the boards, as the 6-5 swingman grabbed 11 rebounds against Minnesota and has hit double digits in the category in three of five games since returning from a hand injury.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Jazz PG Ricky Rubio, who scored 31 points in the win over the Lakers on Tuesday, left Thursday's game with hamstring soreness and is day-to-day.

2. Lakers SF Brandon Ingram (concussion) missed four straight contests.

3. Utah won the last five meetings.

PREDICTION: Jazz 111, Lakers 104