Now on the back end of a back-to-back, the Utah Jazz will look to begin another losing streak against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Currently the Jazz sit at 4th on the draft board. These losses are vital to the Jazz future and every one matters. The Jazz have been getting better and better as the season goes along and need to be careful. That improved play can be attributed to the players and their drive to improve, and also the coaching of Will Hardy who is still finding ways to make the Jazz better.
Yes, the Jazz want to get better and improve their young players, but they’re walking on thin ice. It is absolutely vital that the Jazz get a top pick in this draft to pair with their young talent. Utah is in no way close to competing for a championship and they can’t do that if they continue drafting mid lottery. And that is the tightrope the Jazz find themselves on as the season goes on. But what has made this more complicated is that Utah is trying to do this while playing vets like Lauri Markkanen and Collin Sexton. They’ve also seen Jordan Clarkson play well and John Collins looking like the best player on the team. That has already proven to put everything they’re doing in jeopardy.
All of the hopes for the Jazz future are in the front office’s hands. It would be a shame if the front office squandered the chance at championship caliber talent because they didn’t want to make some tough decisions.
How to watch
When: 7:00 MST
Where: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Channel: KJZZ, SEG+
What to watch
Keyonte George
In his last 5 games, George is shooting 42% from the field and 45% from three. He’s playing more within the offense and off the ball. That seems like the role he can play for Utah in the future. He has incredible scoring upside but he has to learn when to and not to go for it. The good news is it appears George is learning to get his field goal attempts down. Those last 5 games he’s at 12.2 field goal attempts per game. The games before? 14.8. That willingness to improve is producing huge dividends.
