by Alma Bean

Feature Image by Megan Nielsen of Deseret News

The Utah Jazz (26-27) takes on the Golden State Warriors (25-25) for their first meeting of the season.

What to Look For

This game will mark the first official meeting between these teams this season. The first meeting was original meeting was supposed to be on January 17, but due to the unfortunate passing of Golden State coach Dejan Milojevic, that meeting end up being rescheduled for later this week. Golden State has been hot coming into this game as they are currently looking to stretch their winning streak to five-straight games. During their four-game winning streak, Golden State is winning by an average of 14 points.

Utah returning home has won two of their last three home games and looking to show their restructured roster to the home crowd. With this being his third team in the last two months, Kira Lewis Jr. should be looking to use Utah as a revival destination as he will be a restricted free agent after this season. Along with making a splash in Utah, rookies Taylor Hendricks and Brice Sensabaugh should be able to see more playing time with the transactions that have taken place. Both rookies have managed to find playing time with Utah this season but in small stints. With Utah losing three role players during the trade deadline, the red carpet should be rolled out for them to take advantage of this opportunity.

Key of the Game

Limit shooting attempts. Golden State is second in the league in field goal attempts (91.5) and fourth in three-point attempts (39.5). Having both Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson averaging a combined 34.1 field goal attempts per game and making 43.9 percent of their shots, trying to limit their attempts will be key for Utah to keep this game close. On ball defense from the back court of Kris Dunn and Collin Sexton will need to plan A for Utah but Curry will be Curry and gives every shot a chance to go in.

Injury Report

Golden State – Chris Paul (hand) Out, Gui Santos (knee) Questionable

Utah – Johnny Juzang (G League) Out, Otto Porter Jr. (foot) Questionable, Micah Potter (G League) Out, Jason Preston (G League) Out

Where to Watch

Tip-off will be at 7:00 p.m. MST on KJZZ and Jazz+.

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