by Alma Bean
Feature Image: Photo by Morry Gash of AP Photo.
The Utah Jazz (17-16) takes on the Detroit Pistons (8-24) on the second night of a back-to-back in their final meeting of the season.
What to Look For
Utah coming off a tough loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers 122-99, they are looking to leave Detroit with a win in their final matchup this season. In their previous matchup, Detroit got the win on the road against Utah 125-116. In that previous meeting, Utah went in without Mike Conley. This time around Utah will be without Kelly Olynyk and Collin Sexton providing new challenges for both teams. Detroit is currently on a five-game home losing streak with their most recent loss being Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets 124-121. Bojan Bogdanovic continues to be Detroit’s lifeline this season being their leading scorer with 21.3 PPG.
Keys of the Game
Based on their previous two games, Utah needs to bring a focus on physicality in the paint. Walker Kessler has shown that he can be a force down low but tends to get pushed around. If his physicality finds a way to peak through, this may lead to defensive collapses leading to an open man on the perimeter. Since lives and dies by the three being a top-five team in three-point attempts, trying any way to get that opportunity available is crucial.
Injury Report
Detroit- Cade Cunningham: Out (leg), Isaiah Livers: Out (shoulder)
Utah- Kelly Olynyk: Out (ankle), Collin Sexton: Out (hamstring)
Where to Watch?
Tip-off between Detroit and Utah will be at 5:00 p.m. MT on AT&T SportsNet.