The Utah Jazz will face the burly Detroit Pistons tonight. The Jazz are currently on a 6-game win streak, which is the third largest active win streak behind Toronto’s 8-game win streak and Portland’s 10-game win streak. The Jazz are currently in the 8th seed of the playoff race, after San Antonio unexpectedly fell from third seed to 10th. Just two games behind 4th seed Oklahoma City Thunder, and tied in record with San Antonio, every game is going to carry a whole lot more weight. In a game of high stakes, the Jazz look to make a stand on their home court tonight, with their famous “sixth man” fans right behind them.

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Game Info:

When: Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 7:00pm MST

Where: Vivint SmartHome Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah

TV: AT&T Sports Net - Rocky Mountain

Radio: 1280 AM/97.5 FM The Zone

Injuries:

Utah Jazz:

Dante Exum - On rehab assignment with SLC Stars (day-to-day)

Thabo Sefolosha - Knee (out for season)

Raul Neto - Wrist (out for multiple weeks)

Detroit Pistons:

Reggie Bullock - Back (questionable)

Dwight Buycks - Ankle (day-to-day)

Stnley Johnson - Back (probable)

Reggie Jackson - Ankle (day-to-day)

Jon Leuer - Ankle (out indefinitely)

What To Watch For:

Battle of the Bigs:

The Jazz come into this game with Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors, and the Pistons will try to match up with Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin. In the 17 games since being traded to Detroit, Blake Griffin is averaging 20.2 ppg, 5.8 ast, 6.8 reb, 0.5 stl, 0.4 blk, while shooting 31.9% 3pt%, and 47.3% 2pt%. While these are still good numbers, they are a little bit of a dip from the 22.6 ppg, 7.9 reb, and 34.2% 3pt% he was putting up in LA. Andre Drummond is a rebounding machine, averaging a whopping 15.8 a game this season. These two will be a handfull, but if any team is equipped to handle them it is the Jazz.

Most Likely Jazz-Killer: Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin always seems to play his most chippy games against the Utah Jazz. While his faux-bully style makes him look a little ridiculous at times, his numbers actually tend to back up his talk. Against Utah, his career averages are 23.4 ppg, 9.7 reb, 3.6 ast, 119 ORtg**, and a TS% of 61.6%**.

(** represents his highest career average against any opponent)

So yea, he tends to be better offensive against us than any other team. He’s also one of Detroit’s only offensive options, so a lot is going to be riding on his performance.

Donovan Mitchell

Do I need to put my reasoning here?

Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

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This should be a fun, gritty game to watch. The refs better keep on their toes because I’ll be there in the stadium to hold them accountable. It’s my birthday too, so hopefully that brings the Jazz some good luck. What better way to celebrate the day you were born than with good friends at a Jazz game?

Here’s to another notch on the Jazz’ win streak.