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Remember the last time the Jazz played the San Antonio Spurs? I don’t think anyone mentioned this, but apparently the team’s flight from Phoenix, where they played the night before, was delayed, which meant that they didn’t touch down in San Antonio until 5am the next morning. Didn’t matter. That game was the third in four straight games in which Gobert and co. scored 120+.
The schedule makers didn’t do the good guys any favors this time either—after drubbing the Portland Trail Blazers in Oregon last night, the Jazz have to play the rested, yet injury-riddled Spurs once more, this time at home.
The Jazz aren’t without injuries either, though. Ricky Rubio is still out, which really sucks. I know, I know, I have no right to write that. I was one of Ricky’s harshest critics about three weeks ago. But with the increased pace and a healthy Gobert, Rubio has been awesome. Hope he recovers soon. Luckily, the offense is in the capable hands of Donovan Mitchell and Raul Neto, who combined for 34 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Game Info:
When: Monday, February 12, 2018 • 7:00 PM MT
Where: Vivint Smarthome Arena - Salt Lake City, UT
TV: AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain
Radio: 1280 and 97.5 The Zone
Injuries:
Utah Jazz:
Dante Exum - OUT (Shoulder)
Thabo Sefolosha - OUT (Knee)
Ricky Rubio - Questionable (Hip)
San Antonio Spurs
Dejounte Murray (sprained left ankle) and Tony Parker (back tightness) are questionable for tomorrow’s Spurs-Jazz game. LaMarcus Aldridge (sore right knee), Rudy Gay (right heel bursitis) and Kawhi Leonard (return from injury management) are out. pic.twitter.com/NbpEtd7CWL
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) February 12, 2018
What to Watch For
Battle of the Frontcourts
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Get a load of that injury report. Kawhi Leonard’s injury is still a thorn in the Spurs’ side, of course, but LaMarcus Aldridge’s absence deals still another blow to their hopes for winning tonight’s game, as they are now left with Joffrey Lauvergne, Pau Gasol, and . . . that’s pretty much it. They technically have a rookie named Matt Costello, but he hasn’t played for some time. Davis Bertans, a Latvian forward with range, will likely also see time at the PF spot.
Derrick Favors, Rudy Gobert, and Jae Crowder should be able to have their way in the post tonight.
DeJounte Murray and Tony Parker?
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If Tony Parker and Dejounte Murray are out—h*ck, even if one of them is out—it could be a long game for San Antonio. Patty Mills often torches the Jazz, but it’s going to take more than that tonight.
Jae Crowder: (Again)
It’s early, but Crowder looked energized and ready to knock some heads in his Utah Jazz debut last night:
We’re going to be on Crowder Watch for several weeks as we observe how Quin Snyder integrates him into the gameplan. Now that he’s got a real coach again, things seem incredibly promising.
Most Likely Jazz Killer: Patty Mills? Pau Gasol? I dunno.
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With all their best players injured, this is the best I’ve got. Mills played well in the last matchup against the Jazz, scoring 11 points on 4-6 shooting in 23 minutes. Gasol . . . meh. He’s a shell of his former self, but still decent.
So the Spurs game is a trap game, right?
— Amar (@AllThatAmar) February 12, 2018
GO JAZZ GO!