Jazz Eye Seventh Straight Win In Matchup With Mitchell’s Hometown Team
Jan 8, 2020, 4:38 PM | Updated: 4:45 pm
Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz reacts in the final minutes of the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz are looking for their seventh consecutive victory when the team plays its first game of the 2019-20 season against Donovan Mitchell’s hometown team, the New York Knicks.
The Jazz host the Knicks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on Wednesday, January 8.
Utah aims to continue its pre-Christmas winning streak against the 10-27 Knicks. New York enters the first meeting with the Jazz this season on a three-game skid.
Mitchell was born in Elmsford, New York and spent a lot of time during his youth in Queens where his father still serves as a director of player relations and community engagement for the New York Mets. During his AAU playing days, Mitchell played for a couple of teams in New York City.
In 2019, Mitchell spoke about his experiences in the Big Apple and the home of the Knicks, Madison Square Garden.
“I’ve literally done every possible thing you can do in Madison Square Garden,” he added. “I can’t pick out one game for you, because it kind of all goes together, but I think just being able to be in that arena is just something special.”
The Jazz star ranks No. 13 in the NBA in scoring averaging 25 points per game.
Donovan Mitchell with the deep 3!
17 PTS & 7 ASTS vs the Knicks pic.twitter.com/lzZtHTS4kt— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) January 20, 2018
Knicks Update
New York is led by forward Marcus Morris who’s posting 19.1 points on 43.8 percent shooting. Morris was listed as doubtful on the team’s injury report with a sore neck.
The Knicks will be without the services of forward Julius Randle was listed as OUT due to personal reasons.
Injury Report for 1/8 at Utah: Probable – Knox II (sprained right ankle), Robinson (sprained left great toe); Questionable – Smith Jr. (strained left oblique); Doubtful – Morris Sr. (sore neck); Out – Randle (personal reasons).
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) January 8, 2020
The Knicks are 4-6 in their last ten games. This season, they are getting outscored by an average of nearly eight points per contest.
The Jazz swept the 2018-19 series with the Knicks 2-0.
Utah vs. New York is scheduled to tip-off at 7 p.m. (MDT). The game is broadcast on NBA League Pass, AT&T SportsNet, and 97.5 FM.
