/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68582382/1189051197.0.jpg)
After a dazzling 120-100 win in Portland to open the season, the Utah Jazz (1-0) are looking to keep the momentum up back at home. The home opener will certainly feel different than it normally would have, given the minimal fan attendance. The Jazz will have to motivate themselves, rather than relying on the energy from the Utah crowd.
The Minnesota Timberwolves (1-0) are coming off a crunch time win over the Detroit Pistons on their home court on Wednesday. Behind the impressive all-around play of Karl-Anthony Towns, a stong NBA debut by Anthony Edwards, and the late clutch shooting of Malik Beasley, the Wolves were able to pull off a 4th quarter comeback and win their season opener.
Towns has recently endured much personal tragedy, as multiple family members and loved ones have died due to COVID-19. KAT played with his heart in their first game, led his team to a victory, and dedicated the win to his mother, Jackie. We at SLC Dunk wish him and his family all the best, and extend our love and respect his way.
“I’m just happy I got this for her.”
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) December 24, 2020
For Jackie.
pic.twitter.com/09bwgiDUYv
Game Info
When: Saturday, December 26th, 2020 • 7:00 PM MT
Where: Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
TV: AT&T Sportsnet - RocFox Sports North
Radio: 97.5 FM | 1280 AM The Zone
What to watch for
Debut of the ‘Dark Mode’ City Edition Jerseys and court
The Jazz will show off their second version of the gradient sunset jerseys, this time with black as the main color. The court will also be updated with a Dark Mode theme.
How many three pointers will the Jazz shoot?
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22195033/1230284865.jpg)
The Jazz will hope to continue to burn the nets from behind the three point line. After leading the league in 3P% last season, Quin Snyder has been preaching the gospel of volume, and the Jazz have listened to him so far. After attempting ridiculous amounts of three pointers in the preseason, we wondered if that would continue. Well, Utah attempted 50 shots from beyond the arc in game 1. How many will they attempt tonight?
Battle of the big men
Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns are very used to matching up against each other. This will mark the 18th matchup between the two. While both Towns and Gobert are top tier centers in the NBA, they play very different styles of basketball. Watching these two battle on the court is always a treat. Rudy takes matchups with star centers very seriously. After a dominant game one against Jusuf Nurkic and the Trailblazers, Rudy will certainly be looking to outplay another talented big.
Poll
Score Predictions
This poll is closed
-
60%
Jazz win by 10+
-
23%
Jazz win by less than 10
-
12%
Thunder win by less than 10
-
3%
Thunder win by 10+