Game Preview
The San Antonio Spurs (7-8) will look to build on their recent momentum as they host the struggling Utah Jazz (3-11) on Thursday night. While both teams have underwhelmed this season, their current trajectories are heading in opposite directions.
The Spurs have found their groove offensively, averaging 114.6 points over their last five games while shooting a blistering 39.1 percent from three-point range. Their balanced attack has seen them dish out 30.8 assists per contest, a shade above their season average. This unselfish play has fueled a 60 percent winning clip, a marked improvement from their sub-.500 start.
Conversely, the Jazz have stumbled badly, dropping three straight and seven of their last ten. Utah's defense has been the primary culprit, surrendering 118.8 points over that stretch while allowing opponents to shoot a scorching 49.6 percent from the field. On the offensive end, the Jazz have failed to capitalize on open looks, hovering around 35 percent from beyond the arc in their last ten games.
The Spurs will look to exploit those defensive lapses and continue their 39 percent three-point barrage from their recent hot streak. However, they'll need to tighten up their own defensive rotations against a Jazz squad that has averaged 113.4 points over their last five despite their shooting woes. With Utah's season slipping away, expect a desperate effort to steal a road win and halt San Antonio's building momentum.