Lakers Replace Jazz Game By Celebrating Great Moments Between Teams On Twitter

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz should be wrapping up a two-game home and home matchup tonight in Los Angeles. Instead, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic that had halted most major sports across the country, players from both teams are home awaiting the NBA’s return to action.

As teams across the league look for ways to keep fans entertained during the hiatus, the Lakers social media team dedicated a lengthy Twitter thread to highlights between the Lakers and Jazz over the two team’s recent history.

The Lakers account began the thread using the hasthtag #BestOfLakersJazz to make it easier for Twitter users to follow along.

Monster dunks. Blocks from out of nowhere. Even accidental buckets. @AntDavis23 does it all. #BestOfLakersJazz pic.twitter.com/6X5XmRICDB

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 18, 2020

The first tweet featured highlights from the Lakers newest superstar Anthony Davis dunking on the Jazz, blocking Bojan Bogdanovic’s three-point attempt, and even accidentally scoring on a failed alley-oop pass to Dwight Howard.

Monster dunks. Blocks from out of nowhere. Even accidental buckets. @AntDavis23 does it all. #BestOfLakersJazz pic.twitter.com/6X5XmRICDB

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 18, 2020

The Lakers next set of tweets revolved around the late Kobe Bryant and his lengthy history against the Jazz. In 60 career games against the Jazz, the Lakers legend averaged 25.8 points, 4.5 points, and 4.3 assists.  Bryant’s highlights include several incredible passes, including one to himself off the backboard against the Andrei Kirilenko led Jazz.

Which unbelievable Mamba dime was your favorite? #BestOfLakersJazz

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 18, 2020

The account’s next set of tweets recognizes some of the all-time great players who faced off against one another when the two teams went head to head. One photo shows hall of fame Jazz guard John Stockton talking to Bryant, while another features Lakers legend James Worthy matched up with Karl Malone.

The second highlight features LeBron James being defended by Jazz guard Joe Ingles. James bulldozes through the defense for an easy lay-in.

Headband Bron all about the bully ball 😤#BestOfLakersJazz pic.twitter.com/yxOJSMc9X5

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 18, 2020

The next set of tweets features two legendary big men hitting improbable baseline shots against the Jazz. First, Shaquille O’Neale hits a spinning game-winner over Greg Ostertag and Bryon Russell in the early 2000’s. In the second clip Howard hits a rare three-point shot the Jazz when left wide open earlier this season.

Dwight Howard: 3-point Specialist#BestOfLakersJazz pic.twitter.com/CBUrWC9gNs

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 18, 2020

Finally, the Lakers recognize the night Kareem Abdul-Jabbar became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer against the Jazz. Abdul-Jabbar hits a patented skyhook shot over a young Mark Eaton to score his 31,422nd career point. Abdul-Jabbar is met by his parents and fellow Lakers legend Magic Johnson at half-court as the game was stopped to recognize the achievement.

James // Jones #BestOfLakersJazz pic.twitter.com/ZMlDkrLBwc

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 18, 2020

While the Lakers celebrated their highlights against the Jazz, it seems they missed out on some great games that ended in the Jazz favor.

First, who could forget the 1997 playoffs that ended with the Jazz eliminating the Lakers in five games during the Western Conference Semifinals?

Or this classic where Derrick Favors showed the Lakers that Shaq wasn’t the only big man who can make clutch shots.

With the game tied at 103, Favors follows up a Gordon Hayward miss to flush the eventual game-winner on a putback dunk.

Let’s not leave out this classic from last season when Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell embarrassed Lakers big man JaVale McGee with a monster poster. The Jazz would go on to win the game 113-95, Mitchell would finish the game with 33 points.

While the Lakers are passing the time during the NBA’s absence on twitter, the Jazz are taking to AT&T SportsNet to provide their fans with basketball action. Starting Wednesday night, the Jazz will be reairing recent classic featuring Mitchell and center Rudy Gobert.

Missing the @UtahJazz?

AT&T SportsNet will be re-airing recent classic Jazz wins starting Wednesday night! #TakeNotehttps://t.co/VGRzMIcPYv

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 17, 2020

Coronavirus Resources

Have you or a family member been affected by coronavirus issues in Utah? KSL TV wants to hear from you. Contact KSL by emailing [email protected].

What We Know And Don’t Know About The Coronavirus

Four Common Coronavirus Questions Answered

The latest coronavirus stories from KSL TV can be found here.

Your Life Your Health: How can parents prepare their home, children against coronavirus?

How Do I Prevent It?

The CDC has some simple recommendations, most of which are the same for preventing other respiratory illnesses or the flu:

• Avoid close contact with people who may be sick
• Avoid touching your face
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

The CDC does not recommend wearing a facemask respirator to protect yourself from coronavirus unless a healthcare professional recommends it.