The Utah Jazz will look to end their three game losing streak tonight against the San Antonio Spurs. December has been one of the most difficult months in recent Jazz history. After quick six game road trip, which included the Milwaukee Bucks, the Chicago Bulls, the Boston Celtics, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Houston Rockets, and the Oklahoma City Thunder; the Jazz return home. On the road trip the Jazz went a lousy 1-5, their treat for enduring the road trip from hades, the Jazz get to return home and face the perennial contenders, the San Antonio Spurs.

Game Info:

When: Thursday, December 21, 2017, 8:30 PM MT

Where: Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah

TV: TNT

Radio: 1280 and 97.5 The Zone

Injuries:

Utah Jazz:

Donovan Mitchell - Game Time Decision (Right Great Toe Contusion)

Raul Neto - Questionable (Concussion)

Rudy Gobert - OUT (Knee)

Dante Exum - OUT (Shoulder)

San Antonio Spurs:

Pau Gasol - Game Time Decision (Groin)

Manu Ginobili - OUT (Rest)

Danny Green- Game Time Decision (Groin)

What to watch for:

After a long road trip, the first home game is said to play almost like a road game. I would like to see the Jazz come out strong, not sluggish. The Jazz need to treat this game like they did the Boston Celtics game. They need to treat this game like a must-win. Yes, die-hards are still watching, but I can only imagine that casual Jazz fans are beginning to tune out the Jazz once again. Even die-hards are tired of waiting of the proverbial “next season” due to injuries. The Jazz can't “help” injuries but after years of injury-riddled seasons it can no longer be an excuse.

With no Rudy Gobert, perhaps no Donovan Mitchell, the Jazz need a big night from Derrick Favors, Rodney Hood, or Ricky Rubio. After strong showings from Favors during Rudy’s first injury, the same magic needs to happen again and soon. Rodney Hood is capable of carrying the load for a quarter or two, hopefully he gets hot at the right time. Lastly, we need Rubio of the first five games of the season.

Every game it seems that every Jazz fan is tweeting that Joe Ingles needs to shoot more. Perhaps, tonight is not the night. Ingles most likely be assigned the task of guarding Kawhi Leonard, with that assignment who knows if he has the energy to impact the offensive side of the game.

The Spurs are also on the second night of a back-to-back. Last night, the Spurs squeaked by the Portland Trailblazers 93-91. Leonard, and Tony Parker did not play last night in-order to be well-rested for the Jazz tonight.

The Spurs are 7-3 in their last ten games. The Jazz are 3-7. Go Jazz! Let’s all hope that Donovan Mitchell plays and he is his very magical self.

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports