On paper, this game should be a gimme. Utah’s roster is significantly stronger than the Suns, and the Jazz are currently 5th in the West. Lately, though, the results and effort have been disappointing. Utah is 4-6 over the last 10. Luckily for Jazz fans, Phoenix is 3-7 over the last 10.

If Utah loses tonight, that could be pretty bad news for playoff seeding. Every game counts during this stretch run, and the Jazz have dropped two winnable home games in a row. The team can’t afford another dud tonight.

Game Info

When: Monday, Feb. 24, 2020 • 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

What to watch for

Donovan Mitchell needs to get to the foul line more

During an 8-game stretch from January 14th through the 29th, Donovan was on an absolute tear, averaging 29.1 points per game on 47/41/95 shooting splits. He was getting to the free throw line 5.4 times per game during that stretch and was scoring effortlessly, including a 46-point explosion in a (sadly) losing effort against the Pelicans.

In the 9 games since, he’s put up 19.9 points per game on 43/31/85 shooting splits with just 2.8 trips to the charity stripe. There’s definite room for improvement there. He needs to be aggressive when going to the rim and look to go through contact rather than snaking his way around it.

Mandatory Highlight

Save us, Jordan Clarkson. You’re our only hope.

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, 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.