by Alma Bean
Feature Image: Photo by Ned Dishman of Getty Images.
The Utah Jazz (19-16) travels to take on the San Antonio Spurs (10-22) in the first of a three-game road trip.
What to Look For
San Antonio is coming into this matchup losing four of their last five games with their last home win in December 12 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. San Antonio has the third-worst home record in the league at 5-12 but Utah’s away record isn’t much better at 7-11. Utah has won four of their last six matches with their last road win coming on December 20 against the Detroit Pistons. San Antonio ranks in the bottom 10 in most offensive statistical categories, which Utah tends to struggle against due to “playing down” the competition. Utah is currently 3-5 against teams that have a losing record.
Keys of the Game
Force San Antonio to the free-throw line. They are second to only the Memphis Grizzlies for the worst free throw percentage in the league. San Antonio is averaging 73 percent from the line this season. If Utah wants to capitalize on its shooting, it should focus on Jacob Poetl (50.8%), Isaiah Roby (43.5%), and Jeremy Sochan (51.3%).
Injury Report
San Antonio- N/A
Utah- Kelly Olynyk: Out (ankle)
Where to Watch?
Tip-off between San Antonio and Utah will be at 6:00 p.m. MT on AT&T SportsNet.