As the 1-0 Jazz enter the front end of their first back-to-back of the season (already?), the Lakers are coming off of a tough loss against the LA Clippers. The Lakers will be hungry, looking to bounce back after receiving much criticism of their play, only one game into the season.

The Jazz will be seeking some momentum off of their thrilling victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The road to 82-0 is still well and alive, folks. After squashing some doubts carried over from the preseason, the Jazz need to prove to the national media that they are for real, and cement themselves early on in the season as real contenders. Beating the Lakers would be a great way to start off on the right track.

Game Info

When: 8:30PM Friday, October 25rd, 2019

Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, Ca

TV: AT&T RSM

Radio: 97.5/1280 The Zone

Injuries

Utah Jazz:

Dante Exum - Knee - Out indefinitely

Bojan Bogdanovic - Ankle - Questionable

LA Lakers:

Rajon Rondo - Calf - Day-to-day

Alex Caruso - Pelvis - Probable

Kyle Kuzma - Foot - Out through October

DeMarcus Cousins - Knee surgery - Out for season

Talen Horton-Tucker - Foot - Out indefinitely

What to Watch For

Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

Star Power

Obviously, Jinglin’ Joe Ingles is at the top of the Lakers’ scout report. The Jazz have gone 14-4 against the Lakers while Joe Ingles has been on the roster. They say the mere mention of “Jingles” is enough to cause Lakers fans to cower in fear. This oft-overlooked MVP candidate will likely play a big part in tonight’s game, especially if Bojan’s ankle is looking a bit more swollen today than it was on Wednesday evening.

On a more serious note, if the Jazz can keep the Lakers star forwards LeBron and Anthony Davis from getting too hot, there are not many other players the Jazz need to worry about. A major weakness of the Lakers this season will be their lack of depth, and that is one of the Jazz’s greatest strengths. On top of already lacking much depth, the Lakers have injuries to key players. So while a big lineup of LeBron, AD, and Dwight Howard may be difficult for the Jazz to handle in stints, the Jazz have 48 minutes of fantastic basketball where the Lakers simply do not.

The defensive threat of Danny Green cannot guard both Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell at the same time. This will be a game where the Jazz’s dynamic duo learn to play off of one another. If one is shut down, the other needs to step up, much like we have seen from Portland’s backcourt of Lillard and McCollum. That chemistry, and the ability to recognize which of them has the advantage, will be extremely important come April.

Mandatory Highlight

Game Thread Ground Rules

Welcome to the SLC Dunk Game Thread.

Dunkers know how this thing works, but for you lurkers ready to make the jump to Dunker, we have a few guidelines. Remember to follow our community guidelines (no swearing, trolling, excessive use of Jerry Sloan’s name in vain, no personal attacks, no debates about Utah liquor laws, etc.). Remember to have fun. Anyone who dare blasphemes that Tim Duncan was a Power Forward (this means you, Pounding the Rock), Ben Simmons can hit threes, Gordon Hayward should not be booed, Exum Island isn’t a 5-Star resort, Donovan Mitchell is Monta Ellis 2.0, men should never cry, or John Stockton is not the best point guard of all-time will receive an automatic ban. Just kidding. But seriously.