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Game thread: Utah Jazz’s tough road trip continues with visit to Toronto

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 1: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz dribbles the ball as Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors defends during the second half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on January 1, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 1: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz dribbles the ball as Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors defends during the second half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on January 1, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

The Utah Jazz will have their work cut out for them on Sunday as they visit the Toronto Raptors who remain undefeated at home.

The Toronto Raptors may no longer be as daunting as they were last season when they won the NBA Championship now that superstar Kawhi Leonard is suiting up for the LA Clippers, but they’ve still been exceptionally solid this season. On the backs of Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet, the Raptors have gotten off to an incredible 14-4 start, the second-best mark in the Eastern Conference.

The Raptors have gotten to that start thanks to their possessing the league’s seventh-best offensive rating (110.4), second-best defensive rating (102.1) and third-best net rating (8.3). Despite the departure of Kawhi, the Raptors remain deep, tough defensively and well-coached. And as Pascal Siakam continues to bloom into a true superstar, Toronto remains one of the best teams in the NBA.

Factor in as well that the Raptors are a perfect 8-0 at home, and this is bound to be an extremely challenging contest for the Utah Jazz. Utah hasn’t exactly looked its greatest lately, especially the second unit, and Toronto’s bench is among the best in the NBA.

In other words, the Jazz are most certainly going to have their work cut out for them in this one if they hope to arise victorious.

Game Data

Broadcast Info

Tip-off: 4:00 PM MT on December 1 from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: The Zone Sports Network (97.5 FM & 1280 AM Salt Lake City)

Projected Starting Lineups

Utah JazzPositionIndiana Pacers
Rudy GobertCMarc Gasol
Royce O’NealePFOG Anunoby
Bojan BogdanovicSFPascal Siakam
Donovan MitchellSGNorman Powell
Mike ConleyPGFred VanVleet

Injuries

What’s perhaps been most surprising about the Raptors’ run is that they’ve been so successful even with All-Star Kyle Lowry missing significant time. He’s unlikely to play yet again on Sunday as he’s listed as doubtful for the contest with a thumb injury. Additionally, Serge Ibaka is questionable as he deals with an ankle issue.

Meanwhile, with Ed Davis making his return on Friday, the Utah Jazz are fully healthy, meaning hopefully they can get back in a groove sooner rather than later.

Prediction

As much as it pains me to say it, based on how the Jazz have played lately, I have a hard time seeing them being the ones to knock off the Toronto Raptors for the first time this season on their home court. Marc Gasol presents a tough matchup for Rudy Gobert, and the Raptors bench has been playing significantly better than Utah’s. Therefore, I’m pinning Toronto as winners by a score of 120-113.

Discussion

#UTAatTOR is the Twitter hashtag for the upcoming bout. The live comment thread below will be up and rolling throughout the game as well. Go Jazz!

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