With the NBA trade deadline lurking in early February, Utah was entering a stretch where 10 of their 12 games were at home. And with their future unsettled as to whether or not they'll be sellers or buyers at the deadline — it could go either way depending on who you ask — those games were going to be what determined the final two months of the season.
The Jazz are hitting their stride at just the right time amidst their most crucial stretch of the season.
After losing seven of eight, Utah righted has the ship and won three of their last four games — with the lone loss coming in a one-point defeat following a Joel Embiid bucket with less than five seconds to go.
They'll have a chance to keep those good vibes alive when they return to Vivint Arena to host the LA Clippers on Wednesday night. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. MT.
The good news for the Jazz is that they're only getting stronger, as Lauri Markkanen is listed as QUESTIONABLE for Wednesday's showdown.
Markkanen was on quite the hot streak before he suffered a left hip contusion against the Magic last Friday. He's averaged 29.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game in January, scoring at all three levels and further strengthening his case for the All-Star game in February.
With or without Markkanen, the Jazz have become a resilient team used to playing in close games. Twelve of their past 13 games have come down to the clutch, with Utah going 4-8 during that span.
"This is who we are at this point," head coach Will Hardy said postgame. "I've said it a bunch of times this year, we are perfectly imperfect. We're scrappy, we're tough, we got heart. … We go through great moments, we go through tough moments, but the guys never stop fighting, they never stop competing. … They never stop sticking together. This is just such a fun group to be a part of because of that."
All those close games over a short period of time have manifested in a special sort of bond shared by the team.
According to Hardy, this is a group that always puts the collective first before their own individual goals — and because of that, Utah has started to turn the corner as of late.
"We talk about Team 49. … We're a team and it's never just about one person," Hardy said. "Every day, I know that when I walk into the locker room or go out onto the court, I'm around a bunch of guys that have found a way to put aside their own personal stuff and just be a part of the team and try and win every night. … It's always a variety of guys that contribute for us."
STATS
Utah (23-24, 14-8 home / No. 8 Western Conference)
Offense
*117.6 Points Per Game (No. 3 in NBA)
*116.1 Offensive Rating (No. 4 in NBA)
Defense
*116.9 Points Per Game (No. 23 in NBA)
*115.2 Defensive Rating (No. 26 in NBA)
Individual
*Lauri Markkanen: 24.6 points | 8.6 rebounds | 1.9 assists | 41.4% 3P-shooting
*Jordan Clarkson: 21.1 points | 4.3 assists | 4.1 rebounds | 35.1% 3P-shooting
*Collin Sexton: 14.4 points | 2.9 assists | 2.3 rebounds | 39.5% 3P-shooting
*Malik Beasley: 13.7 points | 3.5 rebounds | 35.5% 3P-shooting
LA Clippers (23-23, 10-12 away / No. 6 Western Conference)
Offense
*109.4 Points Per Game (No. 29 in NBA)
*110.2 Offensive Rating (No. 27 in NBA)
Defense
*110.1 Points Per Game (No. 3 in NBA)
*111.1 Defensive Rating (No. 6 in NBA)
Individual
*Kawhi Leonard: 19.0 points | 6.0 rebounds | 5.1 assists | 30.9% 3P-shooting
*Norman Powell: 15.6 points | 3.0 rebounds | 39.0% 3P-shooting
*Marcus Morris Sr.: 13.3 points | 4.8 rebounds | 38.4% 3P-shooting
KEY MATCHUP
*Lauri Markkanen vs. Kawhi Leonard
— Playing some of the best basketball of his entire career, Markkanen has been nearly unstoppable in January. He’s beginning to understand his own skillset and has developed a knack for taking over when needed. Meanwhile, Leonard is still working his way back from injury but has really put it together in January as well, looking like his old self and averaging 24.4 points and 6.6 rebounds on 42.1% from deep.
INJURY REPORT
Utah
QUESTIONABLE | Lauri Markkanen (left hip contusion)
OUT | Johnny Juzang (G League - Two Way)
OUT | Micah Potter (G League - Two-Way)
OUT | Kelly Olynyk (left ankle sprain)
LA Clippers
OUT | Paul George
OUT | John Wall
OUT | Luke Kennard
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Time: 7:00 p.m. MT
Location: Vivint Arena |Salt Lake City, UT
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: The Zone Sports Network