Game thread: Utah Jazz aim to remain league’s hottest team as they host Charlotte

The Utah Jazz have the NBA’s current longest active win streak and they’ll look to extend it on Friday when they host the Charlotte Hornets.

Having rattled off seven consecutive victories, not to mention 12 of their last 13, the Utah Jazz are currently the hottest team in the league. That stretch can largely be credited to Utah’s lackluster schedule during that stretch. However, one of those wins includes a road victory against the mighty LA Clippers and the drastically improved play of their bench deserves credit as well.

The Jazz will have to work to keep the best active win streak alive as they’ll host a scrappy Charlotte Hornets team on Friday night at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Hornets’ record doesn’t scream competence at just 15-25, but they’re also only three games out of the playoff mix, have beaten some solid teams and have been competitive in nearly every contest they’ve played.

They have enjoyed spectacular play out of the likes of Devonte’ Graham, Miles Bridges, PJ Washington, and even Terry Rozier has become more efficient and effective than expected. They’re well-coached by former San Antonio Spurs assistant James Borrego, who has cultivated a young and athletic team that plays hard and can challenge any opponent in the NBA.

For those reasons, especially considering that the Jazz are coming off a nearly effortless win over the New York Knicks, they’ll have to avoid being caught unaware and underestimating the Hornets. If Utah wins Friday evening, they’ll move into fourth place in the Western Conference with a chance to move into third if the Golden State Warriors can somehow upset the LA Clippers, meaning this game does hold some important weight in terms of the Jazz’s place in the standings.

Game Data

Broadcast Info

Tip-off: 7:00 PM MT on January 10, 2020 from the Vivint Smart Home Arena
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: The Zone Sports Network (97.5 FM & 1280 AM Salt Lake City)

Projected Starting Lineups

Injuries

The Utah Jazz remain without Mike Conley as he deals with his ongoing hamstring injury.

On the Hornets’ side, as of this writing former Jazzman Marvin Williams is listed as day-to-day and is questionable for the bout with a nasal injury.

Prediction

The Jazz have continued to play well against lackluster teams and even in potential trap games, so I’m going to give them a vote of confidence in this one. They are a superior team to Charlotte and should be well-rested after walloping the New York Knicks then a day off.

The Action Network has the Jazz as 13-point favorites, and I’ll go ahead and agree and pick Jazz 120, Hornets 107.

Discussion

#CHAatUTA is the Twitter hashtag for the game and our live comment thread below will be up and rolling throughout the game as well. Go Jazz!