by Alma Bean
Feature Image by Mary Altaffer of AP Photo
The Utah Jazz (24-25) takes on the Philadelphia 76ers (29-17) as they return to Salt Lake City after a six-game road trip.
What to Look For
Coming into this game, Philadelphia is wrapping up a five-game road trip while Utah is returning home from a six-game road trip. Philadelphia has not only lost their last four games, but they also lost MVP Joel Embiid to a knee injury. So far this season, when Embiid is out for the entire game, Philadelphia has a 3-9 record. Five of those losses were by 10 or more points including a loss against Utah on January 6, 120-109. Another big difference in their previous matchup is that Philadelphia was without Tobias Harris. Harris is serving as Philadelphia’s third leading scorer this season averaging 17.7/6.0/3.1 with shooting splits of 50.8/35.6/90.1. Without Embiid, Harris has needed to step up as he has averaged 20.8/5.2/3.5 while shooting 48.9 percent from the field and 32.6 percent from the perimeter. In those 11 games, Harris had a season-high of 37 points in a double-digit win over the Sacramento Kings.
Utah will be coming home with a healthy and hungry roster. Lauri Markkanen will be looking to have a similar performance as his previous meeting with Philadelphia as he looked to be in full All-Star form. Markkanen had a stat line of 33/13/1 with shooting splits of 63.6/55.6/80.0. With tonight being the announcement of the reserves for the 2024 NBA All-Star roster, this type of performance will show voters that he is more than deserving for the All-Star nod.
Key of the Game
Ball movement. In their previous matchup, both Philadelphia and Utah had 30 total assists, but Philadelphia won the turnover battle 6 to 30. If Utah wants to get a win for the home crowd, Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton will need to make the right pass, not the flashy pass. Sexton had an AST/TO ratio of 2.0 (10 assists, 5 turnovers) while Clarkson had an AST/TO of 1.2 (6 assists, 5 turnovers). Without Embiid to guard the paint, it may be in Utah’s best interest to force Philadelphia’s defense to collapse towards the paint and kick the ball out to guys like Simone Fontecchio who has been shooting 40.1 percent from the perimeter this season.
Injury Report
Philadelphia – Nicolas Batum (hamstring) Questionable, Robert Covington (knee) Out, Joel Embiid (knee) Out, Kenneth Lofton Jr. (personal) Out, Tyrese Maxey (ankle) Questionable, De’Anthony Melton (back) Out, Marcus Morris Sr. (foot) Doubtful
Utah – Taylor Hendricks (G League) Questionable, Johnny Juzang (G League) Out, Micah Potter (G League) Out, Jason Preston (G League) Out, Brice Sensabaugh (G League) Questionable
Where to Watch
Tip-off will be at 8:00 p.m. MST on KJZZ, Jazz+ and TNT.
The Hive Sports 
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