The Jazz will look for their sixth straight win when they host the Charlotte Hornets tonight at EnergySolutions Arena.
Led by Kemba Walker and former Jazzman Al Jefferson, Charlotte is trying to lock down one of the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spots. The Hornets have won six out of their last eight games and currently sit in eighth place—just a half-game ahead of Miami and Boston.
Al Jefferson injured his calf last week and missed Charlotte’s game yesterday, but he went through shootaround this morning and is expected to play.
The Jazz have gone 10-2 since the All-Star break and have the NBA’s top defense during that stretch. In those 12 games, the Jazz have allowed an average of 84.2 points—exactly six points fewer than the second-best team (Indiana).
The trio of Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert has been pivotal to Utah’s recent emergence. Gobert has averaged 14.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in 34.1 minutes per game since the All-Star break.
Rookie Rodney Hood has scored 17, 20 and 12 points as a starter the past three games.
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. MT, and the game will be broadcast on ROOT SPORTS (Xfinity—693, DirecTV—683.1, Dish—446, Hopper—412-34). You can also listen to the game on the Utah Jazz mobile app, which is available for iPhone and Android.*
*Limited to a 75-mile radius of Salt Lake City.
Probable Starting Lineups:
Charlotte: Mo Williams, Gerald Henderson, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Marvin Williams, Al Jefferson
Utah: Danté Exum, Rodney Hood, Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, Rudy Gobert