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Los Angeles Lakers at Utah Jazz Game Thread - I blued myself a little early

Los Angeles Lakers (1-0) @ Utah Jazz (0-1)Vivint Smart Home Arena | Salt Lake City, Utah7:00 PM MT | ROOT Sports | 1280 / 97.5 FM

Tim DeFrisco/Getty Images

The Utah Jazz (0-1) keep rolling, with a game tonight hosting the Los Angeles Lakers (1-0). Not just is this another game against the Lakers, but it's the first time these two teams are facing one another since last seasons' debacle. Furthermore, it's the Home Opener for the Utah Jazz.

Blue Edwards also had some other Jazzmen share their feelings on the team with us for the Blue Out. Darrel Griffith had this to say to the fans;

And Bryon Russell had this to add:

Of course, not to be outdone, Basketball John had his own special way of commemorating the start of the Utah Jazz 2016-2017 season:

Game Preview | Five Things to Watch | #MambaDay | Silver Screen and Roll

As for the actual game, yeah, okay. Let's get back to it. First of all, the Lakers have fans all over the globe. There are probably more Lakers fans in outer space than Jazz fans alive today.

2016 2017 Regular Season Game 02 LALatUTA Fan Map

That's fine. If it was a fan vote the Jazz would lose every time. They are 46-40 all time when the Jazz are playing at home. Which they are tonight. If it was the 1980s I'd expect a high scoring affair -- the Lakers have the 2nd best ORTG in the league, and the Jazz are up there at 4th. I honestly don't know if that's going to be the case tonight.

Los Angeles Lakers Roster:

2016 2017 Regular Season Game 02 LALatUTA Lakers Roster

Jose Calderon is doubtful for tonight, last time I checked. D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle looked good in the first game. Jordan Clarkson came off the bench to drop 25. Brandon Ingram didn't light the world on fire, but he may be just getting into the NBA from his rookie jitters. They have legit size with Timofey Mozgov, Tarik Black, and Ivica Zubac. Larry Nance Jr. is their energy wildcard. Honestly, they have a nice looking team if they can keep all these parts together. They have a few vets in Luol Deng, Nick Young, Lou Williams, and Metta World Piece. I don't know if all of those guys are impact vets still, but it's better than nothing.

Utah Jazz Roster:

2016 2017 Regular Season Game 02 LALatUTA Jazz Roster

Gordon Hayward is out. Alec Burks is out. Derrick Favors is good to go! Favors should have a good game, he looked great in the preseason before the Jazz put him up in mothballs. He and Rudy Gobert work well together clearing the class and controlling the paint. Of course, the Lakers can beat you from the outside, so that's a new dimension that Boris Diaw and Trey Lyles are supposed to ameliorate. George Hill and Joe Johnson had good games against Portland. But they didn't get the win. Also, who the eff is Geroge Hill, Amar?

The Triad:

Presumed Starters:

  • PG: D'Angelo Russell vs. George Hill
  • SG: Nick Young vs. Rodney Hood
  • SF: Luol Deng vs. Joe Johnson
  • PF: Julius Randle vs. Derrick Favors
  • C: Timofey Mozgov vs. Rudy Gobert

Key Bench:

  • Jordan Clarkson vs. Dante Exum
  • Lou Williams vs. Shelvin Mack
  • Brandon Ingram vs. Joe Ingles
  • Larry Nance Jr. vs. Trey Lyles
  • Tarik Black vs. Boris Diaw

It should be a really awesome game.

GO JAZZ GO!

Poll

Who's going to win tonight?

This poll is closed

  • 44%
    Jazz by 11+
    (21 votes)
  • 40%
    Jazz by 6-10
    (19 votes)
  • 8%
    Jazz by 1-5
    (4 votes)
  • 0%
    Lakers by 1-5
    (0 votes)
  • 6%
    Lakers by 6-10
    (3 votes)
  • 0%
    Lakers by 11+
    (0 votes)
47 votes total Vote Now