Five takeaways from the Lakers 102-100 loss to the Utah Jazz

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Lakers forward Julius Randle reacts after missing a shot while getting fouled in the closing moments of a 102-100 loss to the Utah Jazz.

(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers forward Julius Randle shields the eyes of Jazz forward Derrick Favors while reaching for the ball during first-half action.

(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

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Nuggets guard Raul Neto and Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson scramble for a loose ball during second-half action.

(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers forward Brandon Ingram drives against Jazz forward Gordon Hayward during the second half.

(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers forward Brandon Ingram tries to block the shot of Jazz forward Gordon Hayward during second-half action.

(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers forward Julius Randle defends against Jazz forward Trey Lyles during the second half.

(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers forwards Julius Randle (30) and Thomas Robinson (15) put up a wall of defense against Jazz forward Boris Diaw during the first half.

(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers forward Julius Randle steals the ball from Jazz forward Derrick Favors during the first half.

(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers center Timofey Mozgov goes up for a dunk against the Jazz during the first half.

(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers center Timofey Mozgov powers up a shot against Jazz center Rudy Gobert during first-half action

(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers forward Thomas Robinson reacts after scoring against the Jazz in the first half.

(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson drives against Jazz guard Joe Ingles during the first half.

(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

By Tania Ganguli

Dec. 28, 2016 6:50 AM PT

The Utah Jazz took their third win of the season against the Lakers on Tuesday night, this one the least convincing of all.

Here are five takeaways from the Lakers’ 102-100 loss.

1. Lakers Coach Luke Walton had some interesting thoughts on traditional basketball positions after Tuesday’s shootaround. He noted that beyond center and point guard, he just wants basketball players. “I think some of that probably came from playing with Phil [Jackson] in the triangle, where it’s more of a mirror offense,” Walton said. “Where depending on what side of the floor you were on, we had rules. The first person in the post became the center at that position. That’s why Kobe used to run down to the post so much. If he did that, the center would fill in from the weak side and turn into traditionally what the small forward or power forward would be doing.”

2. Speaking of Walton and Jackson, Walton said he hadn’t heard that Jackson announced that his engagement with Lakers President and co-owner Jeanie Buss was off until post-game, when he was asked about it in his news conference. He noted that it was difficult to comment much without knowing the situation, but added, “I’m very fond of both of them. It’s sad. ... They were a good couple.”

3. But back to Walton’s philosophy on positions: He said after the game that though point guard D’Angelo Russell is a very good scorer, the Lakers are asking him to do something different, which is taking adjustment.

4. Julius Randle scored eight of his 25 points at some very crucial moments in the fourth quarter. Randle hit a three-pointer as the shot clock expired with a little more than four minutes left in the game, which helped the Lakers close the gap. He had two short jumpers that gave the Lakers a 99-97 lead. If the shot he attempted while getting fouled would have fallen, Randle would have had a chance to tie the game with the and-1.

5. Luol Deng, with nine points and nine rebounds, nearly had his third consecutive double-double.

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Twitter: @taniaganguli