/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60637573/GettyImages-886177.0.0.0.jpg)
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.
Jazz alum @Tru30Blu is in SLC to bring in the new season!
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 28, 2016
As part of our BLUE OUT- Blue will be doing a Facebook Live at 4:15 MT. Join us! pic.twitter.com/qoLE8VIDTb
.@Tru30Blu checking out his old stomping grounds for the first time in 15 years. pic.twitter.com/KJpMyN4Q8K
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 27, 2016
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;
Dr. Dunkenstein says we need to show the world who has the best fans in the #NBA! pic.twitter.com/BrNEWowAbU
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 26, 2016
And Bryon Russell had this to add:
.@BRuss3...we couldn't have said it better ourselves! Let's go! #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/AG0sxAUdWu
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 28, 2016
Of course, not to be outdone, Basketball John had his own special way of commemorating the start of the Utah Jazz 2016-2017 season:
Did someone say Blue Out? pic.twitter.com/ENi7BlvD30
— Kris (@5kl) October 14, 2016
Looking forward to the #BluthOut tonight. #takenote #BlueOut #LALatUTA pic.twitter.com/9aYRmXTccG
— Kris (@5kl) October 28, 2016
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.
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:
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:
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:
D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle put on a clinic against the Houston Rockets last game. #LALatUTA cc @LakersSBN pic.twitter.com/884IDX7iPV
— SLC Dunk (@slcdunk) October 28, 2016
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+
-
40%
Jazz by 6-10
-
8%
Jazz by 1-5
-
0%
Lakers by 1-5
-
6%
Lakers by 6-10
-
0%
Lakers by 11+