The Hive Sports

Miami Heat vs Utah Jazz Pregame Analysis

by Alma Bean Feature Image by Gerald Herbert of the Associated Press The Utah Jazz (13-19) takes on the surging Miami Heat (19-12) in their final game of the calendar year. What to Look For It has been 355 days since Miami came to Salt Lake City and rang in the new year with a…

Alma Bean

December 30, 2023

2–3 minutes

Bam Adebayo, Brice Sensabaugh, Caleb Martin, Collin Sexton, Dru Smith, Duncan Robinson, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Jimmy Butler, John Collins, Johnny Juzang, Jordan Clarkson, Josh Christopher, Josh Richardson, Kyle Lowry, Lauri Markkanen, Miami Heat, NBA, New Orleans Pelicans, Taylor Hendricks, Utah Jazz, Walker Kessler

by Alma Bean

Feature Image by Gerald Herbert of the Associated Press

The Utah Jazz (13-19) takes on the surging Miami Heat (19-12) in their final game of the calendar year.

What to Look For

It has been 355 days since Miami came to Salt Lake City and rang in the new year with a game winning buzzer beater from Tyler Herro. Utah will be looking to stop Miami this go around and get back to their winning ways. Though lost their previous game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Utah has been looking better now than when the season started. Collin Sexton has been explosive since he has been brought into the starting lineup averaging 23.2/3.0/4.4 while shooting 49.7/40.0/87.5 in nine games. Another adjustment that has been a saving grace for Utah is Jordan Clarkson coming off the bench. Coming from the bench over the last three games, Clarkson is averaging 21.3/3.7/6.7 with an AST/TO ratio of 1.8, which is just over his season average.

Even with the tides rolling Utah’s favor, Miami is coming into this game on a four-game winning streak along with winning their last four road games. Given their track record, Utah would much rather have this game at home since they’re 8-5 in Salt Lake City, but that sentiment might not mean too much with Miami’s 10-6 road record. Taking on the fourth ranking team in the east, healthy or not, Miami will be a handful for Utah to end 2023.

Key of the Game

Sticking to ole’ reliable. Having a fully healthy roster going into this matchup, Utah needs to keep their focus on getting rebounds and taking over in the paint on both ends of the court. Bam Adebayo will prove to be a difficult matchup for Walker Kessler, but Utah is the top team in the league in offensive rebounds and top-five in rebounds overall. As long as Utah keep their anchor in the paint with the help of John Collins and Lauri Markkanen, Utah should be able to make this game a photo finish.

Injury Report

Miami – Jimmy Butler (calf) Questionable, Jaime Jaquez Jr. (illness) Questionable, Kyle Lowry (soreness) Questionable, Caleb Martin (ankle) Doubtful, Josh Richardson (back) Questionable, Duncan Robinson (ankle) Probable, Dru Smith (knee) Out

Utah – Josh Christopher (G League) Out, Taylor Hendricks (G League) Out, Johnny Juzang (G League) Out, Micah Potter (G League) Out, Brice Sensabaugh (G League) Out

Where to Watch

Tip-off is at 3:00 p.m. MST on KJZZ and Jazz+.

Author

Written by

Alma Bean

I am currently a student at the University of Utah working toward my second bachelor’s degree, this time in communication with an emphasis in journalism. I currently have a bachelor’s degree in music from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida. As I pursue a degree in communication, I dream to bring this emphasis of journalism to the world of sports. When I’m not writing, I allow my inner basketball fan to come out as I watch previous games and highlights across the NBA to become a walking, talking sports almanac.

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