NBA Regular Season 2012-2013: Miami Heat (24-11) at Utah Jazz (20-19) -- Game Preview

NBA Regular Season 2012-2013, Game 40:

Miami Heat (24-11) @ Utah Jazz (20-19)

#MIAatUTA Game Stream -- Hot Hot Hoops -- Game Page

Jazz looking to keep streak alive

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The Basics:

The Utah Jazz face off against a Heat team in game 4 of a 6 game road trip. The defending champs dropped the first two of the trip, but went absolutely, super-duper, no UN weapons inspectors level nuclear on the Sacramento Kings in their last game and left that city in absolute ruins. The Heat are good, but haven't played a lot of games, but still boast an 8-8 road record. The Jazz are half a game over .500 overall, but are a sufficiently tough team at home, where we're 11-4. Each of the last few seasons the Jazz have been, I think, the only Western Conference team to beat the Heat at least once every season. Tonight will be our last chance this year until we face off in the NBA Finals. (Don't quote me on that)

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History:

The Jazz have the all-time series lead at 30-21, and we're 18-8 at home. The two teams played once last year, and we beat them with a fantastic Al Jefferson assist to Devin Harris, for the long jumper and one. Previous to that game we've had quite a few barn burners -- as Andy points out here. We played once this season already and lost, so boo.

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Scouting, Stats, and Stereotypes:

They good, filled with stars, and get a lot of calls. But we're not cat litter either, especially not at home.

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Injury Report:

Heat Injuries --

• Shane Battier (SF/PF) OUT-ish -- Shane has a strained right hamstring, and is doubtful for tonight's game. His status may have been downgraded to OUT for tonight, as he did not participate in the shoot-around.

Jazz Injuries --

• Mo Williams (PG) OUT -- Mo is out recovering from right thumb surgery
• Marvin Williams (SF/PF) Game Time Decision -- Marvin missed a week of action due to right knee inflammation, he could be back tonight
• Jamaal Tinsley (PG) Questionable -- Jamaal missed the second half of our last game (@ Detroit), and is questionable with an "illness"
• Raja Bell (SG) OUT -- Raja is at home googling himself tonight.

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Advantage --

The Heat have a big advantage as one of our Top 3 players is out (Mo). We could be down another PG and our starting SF who plays defense . . . but hey . . . at least Raja is out too.

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The Game Notes:

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Player Focus:

Paul Millsap. He is going to be defending everyone from LeBron James to James Jones to Udonis Haslem to Rashard Lewis tonight. And he's gotta be up to the challenge. He's also gotta be in that Thrillsap mode as well, no one turns the heat up on Miami like he does. And they'll try to stop him tonight too.

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X-Factors:

The Heat are not traditionally big, so they'll throw a lot of Chris Bosh at center tonight. We have to be able to deal with their quickness -- and we may get to see more of that Alec Burks / Randy Foye / Gordon Hayward lineup. It's an interesting lineup for sure. Bereft of Mo Williams, and maybe even Jamaal Tinsley, we may be forced into it a little more tonight. If it continues to work, we may have a chance to match the Heat's quickness.

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Word from the Badguys:

There are Heat fans?

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As an aside:

How the heck does an expansion team have 2 rings on us, and their franchise didn't even start till the 90s? Oh yeah, their team got stars through the draft or trades or free agency. That's how.

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Fearless Prediction:

Jazz win, why? Because we're playing at home and average at least one win vs. the Heat per season.