What to watch for: Utah Jazz vs Milwaukee Bucks
Bojan Bogdanovic (44) backs down Jordan Nwora (13)
The Utah Jazz took down the Boston Celtics 122-108 on a night that included tying the franchise record for most successful start to a season. The Jazz will now welcome Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks into town, tipping off at 7PM at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
Jazz vs Bucks Throwback:
In a matchup that has spanned 102 games, the Jazz hold a 56-46 edge over the Bucks. Throughout the last three seasons, the two teams have split the series, a streak in which the Jazz will try and snap tonight.
Earlier this year, Utah travelled to Milwaukee as underdogs against one of the Eastern Conference's top teams. On January 8, 2021 the Jazz would take the 131-118 win, and begin an 11-game winning streak that would catapult them into first place in the NBA.
Key Players:
Rudy Gobert (27) defends Giannis Antetokounmpo (34)
Rudy Gobert and Giannis Antetokounmpo will be the two players to keep your eye on during the Jazz and Bucks showdown on Friday night. Antetokounmpo is likely to play close to the rim and face off against Gobert plenty of times during tonights matchup.
Gobert is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and is predicted to win it again in 2021 for the third time in his career. Gobert leads the Jazz in rebounds per game with 13.5, field goal percentage with 62%, and blocks per game with 2.7.
Antetokounmpo leads the Bucks in points per game with 28.1, and in rebounds per game with 11.1. He is also the reigning NBA MVP for his dominant play in 2020.
Fun Facts:
For the third game in a row, the Jazz will wear their all-white uniforms. After their win over the Celtics this past Tuesday, Utah is 9-2 when wearing the association uniforms and currently hold an eight game winning streak when donning them.
Mike Conley will miss his third game in a row with a tight right hamstring. He continues to be listed as day-to-day.
Sam Merrill will make his return to Utah after being drafted by the Bucks in the 2020 NBA Draft. Merrill was a standout for the Utah State Aggies from 2016-2020. In Merrill's last game for the Aggies, he scorched the net just before the buzzer in the Mountain West Conference Championship Game to send Utah State to the Big Dance.
The Jazz 20-5 record is still the top record in the NBA, and they continue to impress each time out. They hold a half-game lead over the Lakers in the west, who have had to rely on three overtime wins in their last three games to remain within striking distance. Utah also holds a two and a half game lead over the 76ers in the east.
Milwaukee is currently fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 16-9 record. They are 3-1 in their last four games with their lone loss coming against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. Their wins during the last four games have come twice against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and once against the Denver Nuggets.
NBA All-Star Voting ends next Tuesday. As of Friday morning, Donovan Mitchell is the only Utah Jazz player within the All-Star Game leading vote getter's. You can vote for your favorite Jazz players by filling out a ballot on NBA.com, or by using Twitter.
How to Consume:
Tipoff between the Utah Jazz and Milwaukee Bucks will be at 7PM in Salt Lake City, Utah. The matchup can be seen on AT&T Sportsnet as well as NBA League Pass. Jazz listeners can also tune into David Locke and Ron Boone’s radio broadcast on 1280 The Zone or 97.5 FM.
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