Utah Jazz vs Charlotte Hornets: Game Thread

The Utah Jazz are back in action facing the road weary and injured Charlotte Hornets. I expect nothing less than a terrible trap game.

Game Preview | Overtone | Five Things to Watch | At The Hive

Team Breakdown:

The Hornets have lost six games in a row, and are playing their last game of their three game West road trip. They did have two nights off from their latest defeat (at the Dubs) but are really the walking wounded right now. They are also missing some strength because of their recent trade (Roy Hibbert and Spencer Hawes gone, but hey, they got Miles Plumlee in return!). In addition to being hurt and on the road they are still a pretty okay team.

Offensively, the Hornets really take care of the ball well, and no team turns the ball over less than they do. They also get to the line a lot, third best in the NBA at FT/FGA. They take a lot of threes, and make a good number of them. Oh, I forgot, when they get to the line they are nearly automatic from there. They don't shoot very well overall, and they don't rebound their misses that frequently. So, that's hopefully something to exploit.

On defense they do protect their glass with a ferocity that is surpassed by only one other team. They also don't send the other team to the line at all, either. But they really don't force turn overs, and again, hopefully that's something the Jazz can be thankful of.

They are going to have their hands full with Walker, three-and-d prototype Batum, and stretch big Marvin Williams. We love Marvin.

Fan Map:

Remember seeing all those Hornets jackets in grade school?

Assumed Starters:

• PG: Kemba Walker vs. George Hill
  
• SG: Nicolas Batum vs. Joe Ingles
  
• SF: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist vs. Gordon Hayward
  
• PF: Marvin Williams vs. Boris Diaw (?)
  
• C: Frank Kaminsky vs. Rudy Gobert

Injuries / Absences:

• PG: Kemba Walker (CHA, QUESTIONABLE), Ramon Sessions (CHA, OUT)
  
• SG: Rodney Hood (UTA, OUT)
  
• SF:
• PF: Derrick Favors (UTA, Should be good to go?)
  
• C: Cody Zeller (CHA, DOUBTFUL)

GO JAZZ GO!