by Alma Bean
Feature Image: Photo by Ryan Sun of the Deseret News.
The Utah Jazz (30-31) takes on the visiting San Antonio Spurs (14-46) as San Antonio looks to end their 15-game losing streak.
What to Look For
Though Utah is currently surging and San Antonio is on the decline. The last time these two teams met, San Antonio came out on top 126-122. Since that game, San Antonio’s record is 3-24 and Utah is 11-14. Though Utah is looking like a clear frontrunner for this game, they still need to keep an eye on newly acquired guard Devonte’ Graham. In his five games with San Antonio, he has averaged 14.4 PPG and 4.8 APG, making him the third-best scorer and second-best passer on the team. He will cause problems for new Utah guard Kris Dunn, who scored 11 points in his Jazz debut on Thursday.
Key of the Game
Take open shots. San Antonio is last in both field goal percentage allowed and three-point field goal percentage (46% and 39.7%). With injuries on both teams, expect Walker Kessler to thrive in the paint and Ochai Agbaji to embrace his role as a catch-and-shoot player with these adjustments. You may even see more opportunities for guys like Damian Jones and Simone Fontecchio to show why they’re deserving of an NBA roster spot.
Injury Report
San Antonio- Khem Birch: Out (knee), Keldon Johnson: Questionable (non-COVID illness), Tre Jones: Out (foot), Romeo Langford: Out (thigh), Isaiah Roby: Out (ankle), Jeremy Sochan: Questionable (quadriceps), Devin Vassell: Out (knee)
Utah- Kelly Olynyk: Questionable (ankle), Micah Potter: Out (G League), Collin Sexton: Out (hamstring)
Where to Watch
Tip-off between San Antonio and Utah will be at 7:00 p.m. MT on AT&T SportsNet.