Warriors open three-game road trip against Jazz

Share

OAKLAND -- The Warriors open a three-game road trip Tuesday in Salt Lake City, where in their most recent visit, last May, they completed a four-game sweep of the Jazz in the Western Conference semifinals.

Coverage on NBC Bay Area begins at 5 p.m., with tipoff at Vivint Smart Home Arena scheduled for 6:05.

The Warriors (40-10) have won three straight and 12 of their last 14. With Kevon Looney unavailable and 7-foot Rudy Gobert in the middle for the Jazz, expect the rare JaVale McGee sighting. He has played a total of 11 minutes over the past 10 games, and none at all in seven.

The Jazz (21-28) have struggled mightily since getting off to a 13-11 start over the first seven weeks, since losing 17 of 25. Utah won its last two, their first back-to-back wins since Dec. 4.

BETTING LINE

Warriors by 7.5

MATCHUP TO WATCH

Klay Thompson vs. Donovan Mitchell: It’s a new day in Salt Lake City, and Mitchell represents the dawn of it. He’s brash, talented and productive; his 19.2 points per game (22.3 this month) leads the Jazz as well as all NBA rookies. Thompson is having his best season but is in a bit of rut, failing to score in double digits in three of the last four games. Facing one of the league’s top rookies might light his competitive fires. For the Jazz to have reasonable chance, Mitchell almost has to be better than Thompson.

INJURY REPORT

Warriors: F Jordan Bell (left ankle inflammation) and F Kevon Looney (flu-like symptoms) are listed as out. C Damian Jones is on assignment with the G-League Santa Cruz Warriors.

Jazz: G Dante Exum (left shoulder surgery), G Rodney Hood (left lower leg contusion) and G Thabo Sefolosha (right knee surgery) are listed as out.

LAST 10

Warriors: 8-2. Jazz: 5-5.

GAME OFFICIALS

Ron Garretson (crew chief), Mark Ayotte, JT Orr

SERIES HISTORY

The Warriors won the first of four meetings this season, 126-101, on Dec. 27 at Oracle Arena and won two of three meetings last season. The Warriors have won 10 of the 12 regular-season games in the Steve Kerr era. The Warriors also swept Utah in four games in the 2017 Western Conference semifinals last May.

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

THE PACE GAME: Ranking 25th in pace, the Jazz formula is to stay close by playing slow and not allowing teams to find rhythm. Opponents have reached 110 points only eight times, with the Rockets and Warriors accounting for half of them. The Warriors, who have ascended to No. 2 in pace, will push at every opportunity. They’ll even tolerate a few turnovers, as long as the game is played at their tempo.

THE DEEP GAME: The Warriors lead the NBA in 3-point shooting accuracy (39.6) and rank second in 3-pointers made per game (11.82). Look for them to get open looks from deep and be aggressive, as Utah ranks 29th in defending the 3 (37.9). Kevin Durant will have numerous opportunities regardless of whether the Warriors use pick-and-roll or lean on offensive flow. Joe Ingles and the rest of the Jazz small forwards have little hope of containing KD.

THE TURNOVER GAME: Since allowing Houston to score 23 points off 19 turnovers on Jan. 20, the Warriors have reduced both the miscues the easy buckets they generate. They’ve committed an average of 13.3 turnovers, leading to 11.3 points over the last three games, both low figures for them. Beware, though, as Utah forces an average of 15.1 turnovers, leading to an average of 17.1 points.

Contact Us