Gameday: Warriors get first look at explosive Jazz rookie

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OAKLAND -- Center Zaza Pachulia returns to the starting lineup for the first time in three weeks Wednesday night, when the Warriors face the Jazz at Oracle Arena.

Coverage on NBC Sports Bay Area begins at 6:30, with tipoff scheduled for 7:35.

Anticipating the Jazz will start 6-foot-10, 265-pound Derrick Favors at center, Warriors coach Steve Kerr announced Monday that Pachulia, at 6-11, 270, will return to his usual spot. Jordan Bell (6-9, 230) has started the past three games.

While the Warriors (27-7) have been streaking, winning 12 of their last 13 games, the Jazz (15-20) have been reeling, following a six-game win streak by losing nine of the past 11. Utah is 3-14 on the road.

BETTING LINE

Warriors by 11.5

MATCHUP TO WATCH

Klay Thompson vs. Donovan Mitchell: Though Thompson’s efficiency has tumbled in recent weeks, the seventh-year shooting guard is having his best season. Mitchell, meanwhile, has been a revelation for the Jazz. He leads the team in scoring (18.0 points per game) and has spent the season battling Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma for scoring honors among rookies. Though relatively small for a two-guard (6-foot-3, 210 pounds), Mitchell makes up for it with a 6-10 wingspan. He’s fearless, so expect him to go right at Thompson.

INJURY REPORT

Warriors: G Stephen Curry (R ankle sprain) is listed as out.

Jazz: G Dante Exum (L shoulder surgery), C Rudy Gobert (L knee sprain, bone bruise) and G Raul Neto (concussion protocol) are listed as out.

LAST 10

Warriors: 9-1

Jazz: 2-8

GAME OFFICIALS

Sean Corbin (crew chief), Karl Lane, Brett Nansel

SERIES HISTORY

This is the first of four meetings between the teams this season. The Warriors won two of three last season and 13 of the last 15 overall. The teams met in the 2017 Western Conference semifinals, with the Warriors taking a four-game sweep.

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

THE LONG BALL: The Warriors have been in a long-distance shooting slump lately, sitting at 26.6 percent from deep over the last five games. Some of it obviously can be blamed on Curry’s absence, but there are other factors. Screens have not been as effective with Pachulia. With him in the starting lineup and playing 20 or so minutes, let’s see if the Warriors can do a better job of getting open looks for their shooters.

THE PACE GAME: Though Utah has made some changes to its roster -- Ricky Rubio at the point and Mitchell at two-guard -- one element remains the same. It’s still a slow, deliberate team, ranking 28th in pace. Coach Quin Snyder believes that is what it takes to give his team its best chance. Look for the Warriors to push at every opportunity, even if they commit a few turnovers in the process.

HELLO, EKPE: Remember Ekpe Udoh? The Warriors drafted him sixth overall in 2010, one year after drafting Curry seventh and one year before they selected Thompson at No. 11. Udoh, at 6-10, 245 pounds, was tapped to provide a defensive presence in the paint. Didn’t work. He lasted less than two seasons before being dealt in the Andrew Bogut deal. Well, Udoh went abroad last season and revived his career. He’s ninth Real Plus-Minus, ahead of Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis.

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