The Utah Jazz Duo Of Lauri Markkanen And Talen Horton-Tucker Enter Red-Hot Against Miami Heat

One is the frontrunner for the NBA's Most Improved Player Award while the other is in the middle of the best three-game stretch of his career.

The Utah Jazz tandem of Lauri Markkanen and Talen Horton-Tucker were basically unknowns entering the season but have them in contention for a playoff berth. They lead the Jazz against the Heat Monday at Miami-Dade Arena.

Markkanen averages 25.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists this season, earning his first All-Star selection. He brushed off Saturday's poor performance against the Charlotte Hornets. He went 3 of 22 from the field, including 1 of 8 from 3-point range, on the way to 13 points.

It was his first time shooting under 30 percent this season.

This display is rare from Markkanen, who did not shoot below 30 percent in a

“I can’t really do anything but laugh about it," Markkanen said. "They were all good looks, but I guess it was just one of those nights."

The Heat can expect a better showing and now have to worry about Horton-Tucker, the Jazz's newest sensation.

He averages just nine points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists but is on a recent tear. In the past three games, Horton-Tucker averaged 27 points, five rebounds and 7.3 assists. His 37-point performance against Charlotte lifted the Jazz during Markkanen’s struggles.

“He has some real physical gifts that were on display,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said after the win against the Hornets. “Driving the ball downhill, had his best game of attacking to score and attacking to find his teammates. He was spectacular, and it’s not a little thing how he’s approached this season.”

Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jayden.armant@bison.howard.edu or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.