by Alma Bean
Feature Image by Megan Nielsen of Deseret News
The Utah Jazz (26-30) returns from the All-Star break celebrating the 2000’s as the thriving Charlotte Hornets (13-41) come to Salt Lake City.
What to Look For
This game is a tale of two cities. Charlotte started off the season with little to no noise being made and in route for another lottery draft pick. The trade deadline comes around and now they have the second-longest current winning streak in the Eastern Conference (three wins), along with the additions of Seth Curry and Grant Williams. Utah on the other hand was looking like they were making a run at the Play-In tournament but after the trade deadline, but those hopes may be lost. Though Utah obtained some draft capital in the process, games may now look to be a race for the offseason. Since the deadline, Charlotte has been a dangerous team as beat two potential playoff teams along with having a point differential of +13.7 in that span when they’re point differential on the season is -10.8.
With the roster changes for Utah, this will be an opportunity for guys like Taylor Hendricks and Kira Lewis Jr. to find their footing with the team and make a push for the end of the season. Hendricks has now cracked the rotation since the deadline and Lewis Jr. has found minimal minutes in garbage time. Now with Utah’s rotations in flux, Hendricks and Lewis Jr. need to make the most of their opportunities if they want to have an impact on this team for the remainder of the season. Miles Bridges will make guys like Hendricks work hard during his minutes and he is a large piece of Charlotte’s offense. Currently the second leading scorer for Charlotte (21.5 PPG), Bridges is averaging 52.3 percent within the perimeter this season.
Key of the Game
Decisive shooting. Both teams have two of the highest opponents shooting percentages in the league with their opponents shooting around 50 percent from the field and near 39 percent from the perimeter. Since the trade deadline, Keyonte George has found rhythm in his shot. George has had stat lines of 15.5/2.0/5.8 along with shooting splits of 42.3/40.6/71.4 during that span. After tying the NBA rookie record for the most made threes in a game (9 3PTM), Utah will need to lean into their “point guard of the future” if they want to add to the win column.
Injury Report
Charlotte – LaMelo Ball (ankle) Out
Utah – Johnny Juzang (G League) Out, Otto Porter Jr. (away from team) Out, Micah Potter (G League) Out, Jason Preston (G League) Out
Where to Watch
Tip-off will be at 7:00 p.m. MST on Jazz+ and KJZZ. There will also be an alternative 2000’s broadcast featuring Carlos Boozer, Andrei Kirilenko, Mehmet Okur and Deron Williams on Jazz+.
The Hive Sports 
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