These have been dark days for the Utah Jazz, but tonight, they finally have a reason to rejoice. It appears that Donovan Mitchell will be rejoining the squad after an 8 game absence.
The star guard couldn’t have returned soon enough. Tonight, the Jazz (31-21) host the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets (29-22) have had their own share of problems this year. Surely, a team rostering 2 former MVPs and Kyrie Irving expected to be placed higher than 6th in the Eastern Conference at this point in the season.
Of course, they probably weren’t counting on Kyrie Irving to be a part-time employee. His refusal to get vaccinated precludes him from playing on the Nets’ home floor. Meanwhile, Kevin Durant has missed time with injuries.
Since this game is in Salt Lake City, Irving will be in attendance. As will former MVP James Harden. Otherwise, the Nets will likely run fringe rotation players like Kessler Edwards, as well as solid-yet-unspectacular role players like Patty Mills and Nic Claxton.
That’s the burden of a superteam. With 3 max contracts on their ledger, the Nets have been forced to fill the rest of their roster out with budget options. When any one of their star players is forced to sit, they’re heavily compromised.
We’ll see if the Utah Jazz can capitalize. After all, they’re one of the deepest teams in the NBA.
Utah Jazz vs Brooklyn Nets Odds Tonight
According to WynnBet, the Jazz are 4.5 point favorites to win tonight, and -200 point favorites on the money line. The Nets are +165 point underdogs.
The over/under is presently set at 229.0 points.
Utah Jazz Starting Lineup
It feels good to even be able to type the man’s name again. Quin Snyder should deploy a starting group of Mike Conley, Donovan Mitchell, Bojan Bogdanovic, Royce O’Neale and Udoka Azubuike tonight.
Utah Jazz Injury Report
While Mitchell is returning, the Jazz will still be short some key players. Rudy Gobert remains sidelined with a calf strain. Otherwise, Jordan Clarkson (knee) and Hassan Whiteside (back) are both questionable.
Utah Jazz vs Brooklyn Nets Prediction
Even without Kevin Durant, the Nets should be able to conjure an offense that, without Rudy Gobert, the Jazz would struggle to contain.
The operative word is “should”.
That hasn’t been the case lately. The Nets have lost 6 games in a row. Most recently, they dropped a contest against a perpetually floundering Sacramento Kings squad. This is not the superteam that NBA fans across the world feared heading into the 2021-22 season.
James Harden, while still a high-level star, seems to have lost a step. More generally, with any one of their three stars missing, this group seems to struggle with its lack of quality reserves.
Of course, the Jazz have had their own struggles over this 2021-22 season. Still, they’re coming off a much-needed win and welcoming their offensive engine back into the fold. They should have some momentum to carry into a win in tonight’s contest.
Prediction: Jazz 115, Nets 110
Utah Jazz vs Brooklyn Nets TV Channel
Fans in the borough can watch this game on CBS Sports, while fans in Salt Lake City can tune into AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain.
Utah Jazz Schedule and Next Game
The Jazz get another bite at the Big Apple on February 7 as they square off with the New York Knicks.
After that, it’s a game with the Golden State Warriors on February 9. After that difficult matchup, the schedule gods bless the Jazzmen. They play the Orlando Magic on February 11 and the Houston Rockets on Valentine’s Day.