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Utah Jazz: Lakers Game, Roster Spots, 22 Days Until Regular Season Hoops

By Karthik Narayanan

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22 days remain in the countdown to the 2015-16 NBA regular season, as the Utah Jazz get set to take the floor tonight for a rematch with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Jazz used a fourth quarter surge to beat LA in the preseason opener and figure to be favorites once again as the two-game set comes to a close.

On One Hand

Will we see more of the roster auditioned in Tuesday’s game?

I hope so. After what we saw from Raul Neto, it is only fair to let Bryce Cotton tell his side of the story. The team has Cotton, Jack Cooley, Chris Johnson, Elijah Millsap, Jeff Withey and rookies Treveon Graham and J.J. O’Brien fighting for the last couple of roster spots.

This is a good opportunity to let the players showcase their skills on NBA TV with the world watching (the Lakers).

In my opinion, only Cotton, Millsap, Withey and Johnson have a realistic chance of making the final roster. With the Jazz roster more or less set, the remainder will see time in D-League and could sign with other teams.

It might come down to Millsap vs. Johnson for the final roster spot–if the Jazz break their norm and carry 15 players. Johnson’s concussion caused him to miss some valuable time, which may have given Millsap a leg up in the competition.

The Other Hand

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is likely out for the season. MKG is an integral part of their core and a key cog in the Hornets’ playoff hopes. To suffer a torn labrum in the preseason is plain unlucky.

It’s scary to think what a single injury can do to a team’s season. This is what makes me cringe when I see Jazzmen playing for their national teams. While injuries can happen anytime, anywhere–even during pickup games–playing year-round puts so much stress on the body.

This is especially true for big men. I maintain that Joakim Noah is a shadow of his original self due to his national duty workload. And we really don’t have to discuss Yao Ming’s abbreviated career to prove the point.

Hopefully the Jazz can avoid the injury bug this year. After all, a single injury to a key player can derail the entire campaign.

Injury Updates

Speaking of injuries, Derrick Favors is out tonight for the Jazz. Following a 16 points, nine rebound effort against the Lakers in the preseason opener, the big man is nursing a sore right groin.

The aforementioned Johnson, meanwhile, has finally been cleared to play after going through the NBA’s concussion protocol.

Other Things

The Jazz have a late tip-off tonight, with action starting at 10 PM MDT. In addition to the NBA TV broadcast, the Utah contingent of Jazz Nation can catch the game on Root Sports once again.

Kobe Bryant fans are hoping that they will see more of No. 24 in action. Personally, I’m also hoping that Byron Scott lets him play more. I am not a big Kobe fan, but he is a competitor on the floor. If we don’t want preseason games to be dull, we need players like Trevor Booker, Kobe and Metta World Peace on the floor.

There are seven games scheduled for tonight. It’s getting to be that time when basketball takes priority over everything else. Keep on reading.

Next: Lakers Thoughts, Alex Jensen Entering HOF

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