by Alma Bean
Feature Image by Jeffery D Allred of Deseret News
The Utah Jazz (4-9) takes on the Los Angeles Lakers (8-6) in a make-or-break game for the In-Season Tournament finale for Utah.
What to Look For
Los Angeles has won five of their last six games and is currently undefeated in In-Season Tournament games. Utah will be fighting for their spot in the In-Season Tournament that’s not even guaranteed. Below are the scenarios that are in play going into tonight’s game:
Lakers win – Lakers win Group A
Jazz win, Suns lose – Jazz win Group A
Jazz win, Suns Win – Result will be decided by point differential on Friday
The Phoenix Suns will be playing the Portland Trail Blazers at 7:00 p.m. MST so Utah fans will need to keep a close eye on the result of that game.
As far as the game at hand, Los Angeles is bottom-five in the league in three-point percentage (33.8%) but is sixth in the league in field goal percentage (48.6%). This season, Utah has allowed their opponents to shooting 48.9 percent from the field and 36.8 precent from the perimeter.
Key of the Game
Ball control. Both Los Angeles and Utah are near bottom of the league when it comes to opponent steals and turnovers. With Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell averaging a combined 4.6 TO’s per game, Utah’s backcourt will need to apply pressure along the perimeter to stay in this game. If Jordan Clarkson and Talen Horton-Tucker can play lockdown defense and get steals leading to transition points, this game will be a lot closer than people will expect.
Injury Report
Los Angeles – Anthony Davis (hip) Probable, Jalen Hood-Schifino (knee) Questionable, LeBron James (calf) Questionable, Jarred Vanderbilt (heel) Out, Gabe Vincent (knee) Out
Utah – Josh Christopher (G League) Out, Taylor Hendricks (G League) Out, Johnny Juzang (G League) Out, Walker Kessler (elbow) Out, Micah Potter (G League) Out, Brice Sensabaugh (G League) Out
Where to Watch
Tip-off is at 8:00 p.m. on KJZZ, Jazz+ and TNT.
The Hive Sports 
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