Hornets Start Post-All Star Play In Utah
INJURY REPORT:
HORNETS: Out: LaMelo Ball (ankle), Mark Williams (back)
JAZZ: OUT: Otto Porter Jr. (Foot)
Game Preview
The Hornets are starting post-All-Star break play in Utah as part of a four-game road trip. These two teams each entered the All-Star break trending in opposite directions. Charlotte won three of their last five, thanks to ending on a three-game winning streak with their new additions post-trade deadline. Whereas Utah lost four of their last five, ending with a four-game losing streak.
The Jazz have the upper hand when it comes to injuries as the newly acquired role player Otto Porter Jr. is the only player listed as out on their injury report, compared to Charlotte who will still be without starters LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams.
This will be the second and final matchup between these two teams this season, as the Jazz already beat the Hornets in Charlotte 134-122 on January 27th. However, this is a "new look" Hornets team they will be facing who has new life and energy since the five new additions joined at the trade deadline. Utah is currently 11th in the league in scoring averaging 118.0 points per game, compared to the Hornets who are 28th with 108.6 points per game.
KEY MATCHUP: Grant Williams vs Lauri Markkanen
It will be a team effort by the Hornets to slow down Utah's leading scorer Lauri Markkanen who is averaging 23.4 points per game. Markkanen poses a unique challenge at seven feet tall, but can score at all three levels. The Jazz will also play him with fellow seven-footer Walker Kessler, which often gives Markkanen a size advantage over whoever is guarding him. Grant Williams will likely be asked to guard Markkanen quite a bit despite only standing at 6'8". Williams' ability to guard on the perimeter and play physically will be essential to contain Markkanen. I suspect Nick Richards and Miles Bridges will also find themselves matched up with Markkanen at times, as it will be a team effort to slow down the big man.
Projected Starting 5
| Position | Hornets | Jazz |
|---|---|---|
PG | Cody Martin | Keyonte George |
SG | Tre Mann | Collin Sexton |
SF | Brandon Miller | Lauri Markkanen |
PF | Miles Bridges | John Collins |
C | Nick Richards | Walker Kessler |
The game will air at 9:00 PM ET on Bally Sports Southeast.
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