The Hive Sports

Utah Jazz vs Milwaukee Bucks Pregame Analysis

by Alma Bean Feature Image by Chris Szagola of AP Photo The Utah Jazz (17-20) takes on the Milwaukee Bucks (25-11) as they wrap up their eastern conference road trip. What to Look For Walking into Fiserv Forum is always intimidating when you have to face a former MVP like Giannis Antetokounmpo. This season Antetokounmpo…

Alma Bean

January 8, 2024

2–3 minutes

Bobby Portis, Brice Sensabaugh, Brook Lopez, Cameron Payne, Collin Sexton, Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jae Crowder, Johnny Juzang, Josh Christopher, Kelly Olynyk, Lauri Markkanen, Micah Potter, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, Taylor Hendricks, Utah Jazz, Walker Kessler

by Alma Bean

Feature Image by Chris Szagola of AP Photo

The Utah Jazz (17-20) takes on the Milwaukee Bucks (25-11) as they wrap up their eastern conference road trip.

What to Look For

Walking into Fiserv Forum is always intimidating when you have to face a former MVP like Giannis Antetokounmpo. This season Antetokounmpo has had 27 double-doubles with 14 of them coming since the start of December. Milwaukee is 9-5 in those contests while being 12-5 overall since the start of December. Utah doesn’t depend on the success of one player this season as they’ve had nine different players lead their team in scoring with Collin Sexton doing it six times since the start of the December compared to Milwaukee having two in that time frame.

Though records may look in Milwaukee’s favor, Utah has won four of their last five game, seven of their last ten, while Milwaukee has won six of their last ten with their last two home losses coming over the last month. Utah has started to find their identity on the road a 5-6 record since the start of December after starting the season 1-9 on the road. Milwaukee has a 16-3 at home this season but if Utah wants to prove that they plan to be competitive this season, this will need to be a game that they fight for.

Key of the Game

Lockdown the paint. Not only is Milwaukee top-three in both points per game (124.6) and field goal percentage (50.0%) but are ranked below Utah in offensive rebounds, and total rebounds. Having to face the frontcourt of Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis on both ends of the court will proves to be difficult within five feet of the rim. Utah will need to utilize size in this game with Walker Kessler, Lauri Markkanen and Kelly Olynyk to try and force mismatches in their favor to keep this game close.

Injury Report

Milwaukee – Jae Crowder (abdomen) Out, Damian Lillard (personal reasons) Out, Cameron Payne (concussion) 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 will be at 6:00 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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