by Alma Bean
Feature Image: Photo by Leah Hogsten of the Salt Lake Tribune.
The Utah Jazz (36-44) takes on the Denver Nuggets (52-28) as the organization turns motive from playoffs to the NBA draft.
What to Look For
This game will be used for player development. Both teams will be without their starting five players and portions of their bench giving fans a glimpse of the future. With the remaining players for both teams, the top scorers are Jeff Green (7.9 PPG) and Kris Dunn (12.3 PPG). Though at a first glance, this game is seen as an easy matchup for the best team in the Western Conference, but Utah has kept things competitive with three of their last four games being within single digits.
For fans who are looking for star power and highlights galore, this will not be the game for you. For fans who are looking towards the future and seeing a glimpse of what will come of their favorite team, this game will be crucial for your fandom.
Key of the Game
The unknown lineup will keep both teams on their toes. Both teams will most likely be using a starting lineup they have not used this season. With most of these players receiving limited minutes throughout the season, this game will be a way for each organization’s front office to decide on future roster moves. Players who will be on the watch for Utah will be Udoka Azubuike, Johnny Juzang, Micah Potter, and Juan Toscano-Anderson.
Injury Report
Denver- Bruce Brown: Probable (knee), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: Questionable (non-COVID illness), Collin Gillespie: Out (leg), Aaron Gordon: Questionable (shoulder), Reggie Jackson: Probable (back), Nikola Jokic: Questionable (calf), Jamal Murray: Questionable (hand), Michael Porter Jr.: Questionable (heel)
Utah- Jordan Clarkson: Out (hand), Rudy Gay: Out (back), Talen Horton-Tucker: Out (ankle), Walker Kessler: Out (concussion), Lauri Markkanen: Out (hand), Kelly Olynyk: Out (rest), Collin Sexton: Out (hamstring)
Where to Watch
Tip-off between Denver and Utah will be at 1:30 p.m. MT on AT&T SportsNet.