LOS ANGELES, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Pau Gasol sent Los Angeles off to a quick start Friday and the Lakers fought off a Utah rally to down the Jazz 110-99.
The Lakers, struggling all year without the services of Kobe Bryant, ended a six-game losing streak.
Los Angeles outscored the Jazz by 18 points in the first period and had a 16-point cushion heading into fourth quarter before Utah closed within four in the final minutes.
Gasol made 10-of-17 from the field as part of the Lakers' 51 percent shooting performance. He scored 23 points, grabbed 17 rebounds and handed out eight assists.
Kendall Marshall added 20 points for the Lakers and Jodie Meeks had 18.
Utah had won two in a row, their 10th and 11th victories of the season. Gordon Hayward led the Jazz with 22 points.
