Sharpshooting Lauri Markkanen Leading Jazz Against Miami
Jan 9, 2025, 8:45 PM | Updated: Jan 10, 2025, 10:43 am
SALT LAKE CITY – Finland native Lauri Markkanen is trying to overcome the cold-shooting at Delta Center as the Utah Jazz lead the Miami Heat 70-68 after three quarters.
The Jazz (9-26) play their second game in less than a week against the Miami Heat (18-17) on Thursday, January 9 at Delta Center. Utah blasted Miami by 36 points last weekend in the first of back-to-back wins.
RELATED: Utah Jazz Vs. Miami Heat Live Blog
yeah, we're known for the fresh 𝙋𝙊𝙒der in our mountains 🏔️🌨️#TakeNote | @MarkkanenLauri pic.twitter.com/1xjeqnXeSe
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 10, 2025
The one-time All-Star started the night with a driving left-handed slam as the Jazz built an early lead against Miami.
Despite an uncharacteristically inefficient performance, Markkanen leads all scorers with 21 points while hitting six threes. After making eight threes against Atlanta, Markkanen has dropped 14 threes in his past seven quarters.
Collin Sexton has 19 points on 8-of-15 from the field. Walker Kessler is three points shy of another double-double with seven points and 11 rebounds.
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Shorthanded Jazz and Heat meet in SLC
The Jazz are again without John Collins, Jordan Clarkson, Keyonte George, and Sensabaugh when they host the Heat.
Collins has missed seven of the Jazz’s last eight games with a hip injury. Clarkson left the team’s win over the Heat after the first quarter due to ongoing plantar fasciitis. George will miss his third consecutive game with a heel injury, while Sensabaugh will miss his second straight due to illness.
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🎟️ https://t.co/oKYqcLyl9B#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/C1bvXCf1AM— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 9, 2025
Utah Jazz Injury Report
OUT – Brice Sensabaugh (illness)
OUT – John Collins (hip)
OUT – Jordan Clarkson (plantar fasciitis)
OUT – Keyonte George (heel)
OUT – Taylor Hendricks (fibula fracture)
Miami Heat Injury Report
OUT – Jimmy Butler (suspension)
OUT – Dru Smith (Achilles)
Doubtful – Kevin Love (personal reasons)
Doubtful – Josh Richardson (heel)
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Tonight’s game against the Heat is being televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.
Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball coverage here.
