Jazz And Hawks Matchup After Pair Of Postponed Games

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz and the Atlanta Hawks will matchup Friday night in Salt Lake City after unexpected time off. Both teams had games postponed earlier this week due to opponents’ exposure to COVID-19.

The NBA requires teams to have eight healthy players available to suit up before a game can begin, and neither the Washington Wizards nor the Phoenix Suns could reach that bar against the Jazz and Wizards on Wednesday.

Sarah K. Spencer of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution joined Ben Anderson of KSL Sports to preview the matchup, and update readers on the latest with the Hawks health. You can watch that video in the player below.

 

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Jazz Looking To Win Fourth Straight

The Jazz are looking to build on their three-game winning streak after returning from a six-game east coast road trip. The team started the trip 1-2 but finished strong with wins over the Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, and Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Jazz have played better away from home so far this season, amassing a 6-2 record on the road and just a 1-2 record at home. The Jazz did win their last home game over the Los Angeles Clippers on New Years Day, 106-100.

Since the last playing in their home arena, the Jazz have seen a jump in play from guard Donovan Mitchell.

Over his last five games, Donovan Mitchell is averaging 27.2 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 47 percent from the floor and 43 percent from three, all on the road.

I's probably fair to assume he's okay now.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 14, 2021

Through the first six games of the season, Mitchell was averaging 20.2 points while shooting 37 percent from the floor and 34 percent from the three-point line. Over the last five games, Mitchell’s numbers have spiked to 27.2 points per game on 47 percent shooting from the floor and 43 percent from deep.

On Thursday, the Jazz announced guard Joe Ingles would miss his third game in four outings as he continues to deal with Achilles soreness. The Jazz are 2-0 in games Ingles has missed this season after snapping his iron man streak having played 418 consecutive games.

Guard Miye Oni has moved into the lineup in Ingles absence, including a six point, three rebound, three block performance against the Cavaliers in 17 minutes on Tuesday.

Shorthanded Hawks Hope To Build Momentum

After one of the more aggressive offseasons in the NBA in 2020, the Hawks have had nothing but bad luck on the injury front.

Forward Danilo Gallinari has appeared in just two games as he continues to recover from a right ankle sprain. Bogdan Bogdanovic will be out for an extended period after suffering a fracture in his knee.

Kris Dunn has yet to suit up for the Hawks as he rehabs from an ankle injury that he suffered last season with the Chicago Bulls. Fellow point guard Rajon Rondo is questionable with a knee injury.

Hawks injury report for tomorrow vs. Utah:

Rajon Rondo (right knee injury maintenance) is questionable.
Bogdan Bogdanovic (avulsion fracture, right knee) is out.
Kris Dunn (right ankle surgery) is out.
Danilo Gallinari (right ankle sprain) is out.

— Sarah K. Spencer (@sarah_k_spence) January 15, 2021

Each player was a major addition to the Hawks rotation in the offseason and was expected to lessen the burden on guard Trae Young and John Collins to carry the team on their playoff chase.

Despite the injuries, the Hawks have an even 5-5 record and sit in the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Young leads the Hawks in scoring at 24.8 points per game while Collins scores 16.7 points for the team.

Key Matchup

Friday’s key matchup will pit the Jazz Bojan Bogdanovic against the Hawks Collins. Bogdanovic has struggled so far this season but showed signs of life recently, crossing the 20 point scoring mark in two of the Jazz last three games.

Bogdanovic underwent wrist surgery in May and was unsure of his availability to begin the season with the Jazz, but has appeared in every game so far this year.

Bojan Bogdanovic is confident his shooting will improve for the @UtahJazz.

Meanwhile, Quin Snyder said the team isn't focused on the James Harden trade. #TakeNote https://t.co/qxJl4Ylt5n

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 14, 2021

Collins presents a tough matchup for Bogdanovic on the defensive end with his ability to attack the rim and spread the floor. The fourth-year forward is one of the better athletes in the NBA, and knocks down an impressive 39 percent of his 3.3 three-point attempts this season.

Collins is still a work in progress on the defensive end which should allow Bogdanovic to continue his offensive momentum, but his speed and scoring ability will be tough to contain for the Croatian forward.

The Jazz and Hawks tip-off at 7 pm MST. The game will be broadcast on AT&T SportsNet.