The Utah Jazz had gotten back to a respectable playing level when their first round pick, Trey Burke, returned from injury earlier this season. Lately, however, with tanking season in full swing, they have free-fallen. Utah has lost five in a row and eight of their last ten to drop to the second-worst record in the Western Conference.
Speaking of teams free-falling, so too have the Philadelphia 76ers, though to a much larger degree. The well-rested Sixers, however, will get a crack at the Jazz on the back end of a back-to-back. Utah got blown out at Madison Square Garden to the Knicks last night.
Much of the talk surrounding the 76ers lately relates to whether or not they would break the NBA record for largest losing streak. Their franchise record is coming up soon, too, which is 20 from the 1972-73 season. Tonight will be a good chance to end all negative talk about that, as Utah comes in weak, in on both a losing streak and short rest.
Philadelphia has played one game since Sunday night, getting killed by the Thunder in Oklahoma City. It was the 14th time in 15 games they allowed over 100 points, losing 125-92.
It sets up a matchup between a struggling scoring offense and a pathetic defense. Utah averages only 94.4 points per game, but, lucky for them, Philadelphia allows a league-worst 111 points per game.
A mini-matchup to keep an eye on, as usual, involves Michael Carter-Williams. After going up against Victor Oladipo a few times recently, he will get another test from another fellow rookie. Burke’s Wolverines defeated MCW and Syracuse in the final four last year. Despite now being both in a professional league, they ironically will face off in March with much less stakes. But Carter-Williams has struggled lately, including having a game with eight turnovers, and being yelled at by Head Coach Brett Brown in consecutive contest. He may have hit the rookie wall, but getting three full days of rest will give him time to rest as he looks to rebound.
Injuries: Brandon Davies (finger) will not play, nor will Nerlens Noel and Jason Richardson, who recover from reconstructive knee surgery.
Starting Lineups:
Utah:
PG- Trey Burke
SG- Gordon Heyward
SF- Richard Jefferson
PF- Marvin Williams
C- Derrick Favors
Philadelphia:
PG- Michael Carter-Williams
SG- Tony Wrotten
SF- Hollis Thompson
PF- Thaddeus Young
C- Henry Sims
Prediction: I actually think the Sixers have a real decent shot of winning, but how could anyone seriously declare they think they will win? It’ll be close, but the Jazz take this one, 109-102.
