Jazz Face Championship Level Test Against Bucks
Mar 14, 2022, 12:54 PM
Utah Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic drives against Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz will get a championship-caliber test tonight when they host the Milwaukee Bucks at Vivint Arena.
The Bucks are the current defending champions and are one again in the title hunt amongst a slew of talented teams in the Eastern Conference.
The Jazz meanwhile will look to build off Saturday’s win over the Sacramento Kings as they prepare for the postseason.
Jazz May Be Shorthanded Vs. Bucks
Though the Jazz want to consider themselves championship contenders, they may not role out a championship-worthy roster when they host Milwaukee.
Rudy Gobert is listed as questionable against the Bucks after missing Saturday’s win with an injured big toe on his left foot. Gobert went through shootaround but said he will have to see how feels at game time before making a final decision.
Rudy Gobert said he's planning on playing tonight for the @utahjazz against the @bucks tonight.
Said he will go through pregame to see how he feels, but plans to play.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) March 14, 2022
Bojan Bogdanovic meanwhile wasn’t listed on the team’s injury report Sunday but didn’t go through shootaround Monday morning due to a left calf strain.
Bogdanovic played Saturday night after missing Friday’s game in San Antonio with a leg bruise.
Bucks Bringing Back Key Piece
While the Jazz are unsure of who will be available against Milwaukee, the Bucks are expected to welcome back a key piece of their championship roster in Brook Lopez.
Lopez hasn’t played since opening night, underwent back surgery in early December, and has been rehabilitating the injury over the last three months.
BROOK IS BACK!! pic.twitter.com/f5ptecOHZB
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) March 14, 2022
Without Lopez, the Bucks defense has fallen outside of the top 10 in the NBA this season for the first time under coach Mike Budenholzer.
Former Jazzman George Hill is also expected to return to the Bucks lineup after missing the last 16 games with neck soreness.
Despite the injuries, the Bucks own the second-best record in the East behind the Miami Heat.
Broadcast
The Jazz and Bucks will tip-off at 8 pm MT and can be heard on KSL NewsRadio and The Zone Sports Network. The game will be televised on ESPN, AT&T SportsNet, and FuboTV.
