The Brooklyn Nets (12-34) have been having their worst month of the season in terms of losses as it seems that both sides of the court, specifically defense, are not what they were in December. Brooklyn has been more competitive as of late, but they will be tested Friday at the Utah Jazz (15-33) and if you’re wondering how you can watch all the action live, you’ve come to the right place!
The Nets come into this game following a 107-103 loss at the Denver Nuggets on Thursday in which Brooklyn came back from a 19-point deficit to make the game interesting in the second half. Forward Michael Porter Jr., visiting Denver for the first time since his offseason trade, had arguably his best game of the year with 38 points and 10 rebounds while veteran Terance Mann had 12 points and six rebounds amidst plenty of injuries.
The Jazz enter this matchup after a 140-124 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday in which Utah was unable to close the game in the fourth quarter despite getting back into the game in the third quarter. Forward Brice Sensabaugh led the way for the Jazz with 22 points and three assists off the bench while guard Keyonte George and forward Ace Bailey each had 19 points in support.
The Lines, Courtesy Of BetMGM
Notable Injuries
Nets: OUT: Noah Clowney (back), Haywood Highsmith (knee), Michael Porter Jr. (personal reasons), Ziaire Williams (calf), Tyson Etienne (G League), and Chaney Johnson (G League).
Jazz: OUT: Walker Kessler (shoulder), Kevin Love (illness), Lauri Markkanen (rest), Georges Niang (foot), Jusuf Nurkic (illness), Elijah Harkless (G League), John Tonje (G League), and Oscar Tshiebwe (G League). QUESTIONABLE: Cody Williams (illness).
Advice and Prediction
The Nets have not been playing their best basketball in the month of January as they have been in a rut on both ends of the floor compared to how they played in December. With that being said, Brooklyn has been more competitive in their recent games than what they showed against the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Clippers. However, in a close matchup against Utah, the Nets will be missing their best player in Porter.
The Jazz have been better than expected this season and that’s partly because of how well George has been playing this season as he assumes more responsibility on the team. Utah is still following its best player in Lauri Markkanen, but with him out for this game, George and Bailey will have to step up like they did the other night if they’re going to protect their home floor against the Nets.
The Nets and Jazz rank towards the bottom of the league in defensive rating, but it’s the offensive end of the court and the pace that separates these two teams. Brooklyn is one of the worst offensive units in the NBA while playing at one of the slowest paces while Utah is middle of the pack on the offensive end, but they play like one of the fastest teams in the Association.
Prediction: Jazz 115, Nets 110
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets at Jazz betting preview: Prediction, point spread, odds