Amidst all of the trade deadline madness and All-Star selection drama, it might have slipped your mind that there’s a basketball game tonight. The Utah Jazz (29-23) welcome the Atlanta Hawks (16-34) to the Viv in the first of three remaining games prior to the February 9 trade deadline.

Atlanta currently sits 12th in the Eastern Conference and should be a relatively easy win. The ideal scenario would be to build a lead and get some extra rest before Utah takes on the Houston Rockets tomorrow night. However, in January the Hawks did beat the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers on the road and the Oklahoma City Thunder at home. Nothing is guaranteed in the NBA.

Game Info

When: Friday, Feb. 1, 2019 • 7:00 PM MT

Where: Vivint Smart Home Arena • Salt Lake City, UT

TV: AT&T Sports Net-Rocky Mountain

Radio: 97.5 FM | 1280 AM The Zone

Injuries:

Utah Jazz:

Dante Exum – Left Ankle Sprain – OUT

Raul Neto – Groin – OUT

Thabo Sefolosha – Right Hamstring – OUT

Tony Bradley – Right Knee Surgery – OUT

Atlanta Hawks:

Miles Plumlee – Knee – OUT

Tyler Dorsee — Knee — PROBABLE

What to watch for

Rudy Gobert: Destroyer of Worlds

Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

The reaction to Gobert’s snub from the All-Star game is well documented, so I won’t rehash that here. Suffice it to say, after Rudy’s media availability today, the Stifle Tower and his fans will be amped for this one.

In January, Rudy averaged 15 points, 13.6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2.5 blocks and 1 steal per game. He had an effective field goal percentage of 64 percent, an offensive rating of 134 (the Golden State Warriors currently lead the league at 116.7 for the season) and a defensive rating of 100 (the Milwaukee Bucks currently lead the league at 103.9 for the seasons).

In this one he will be matching up with the Hawks frontcourt of Dewayne Dedmon, Alex Len and John Collins.

I suspect Rudy might be adding to his highlight reel tonight.

I’m not so lucky as to be able to attend in person tonight, but if you are, be loud and show Gobert how much Jazz nation appreciates him.

Go Jazz Go!