The Utah Jazz (36-41) are 12th in the Western Conference and slowly drifting away in the playoff race as they face the Brooklyn Nets (42-35) next at the Barclays Center on Sunday.
The Jazz are only 4-6 in their last ten games and lost 122-114 against the Boston Celtics in their previous outing. Jayson Tatum proved too strong for the Jazz as he scored 39 points for the Celtics, along with five players in the lineup that scored in double digits. Talen Horton-Tucker led the scoring charts for the Jazz, finishing the game with 28 points, including eight rebounds and seven assists, followed by Walker Kessler with 20 points. However, the team still lost the contest by eight points. They will now be up against the Brooklyn Nets, who are enjoying a two-game winning streak but are also 4-6 in their last ten.
The Nets managed a big 124-107 win against the Atlanta Hawks in their last outing, where Mikal Bridges went berserk and ended the game with 42 points. Dorian Finney Smith and Cameron Johnson chipped in with 19 and 16 points, respectively. The Nets now need to win as many games as possible to maintain their position in the playoff race.
Utah Jazz vs. Brooklyn Nets: Match Details
Fixture: Utah Jazz @ Brooklyn Nets
Date & Time: Sunday, April 2, 3:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Barclays Center, New York City
Utah Jazz vs. Brooklyn Nets: Injury Report
The Jazz are suffering from a lot of injuries compared to the Nets. Rudy Gay has been ruled out for tonight’s game due to a back injury, and Jordan Clarkson is out because of a finger injury. Lauri Markkanen has been listed as questionable with a hand injury, while Collin Sexton is out due to a hamstring injury.
As for the Nets, only Ben Simmons is out with a knee injury.
Injury List
| Player | Team | Status | Injury |
| Rudy Gay | Utah Jazz | Out | Back |
| Jordan Clarkson | Utah Jazz | Out | FInger |
| Lauri Markkanen | Utah Jazz | Questionable | Hand |
| Collin Sexton | Utah Jazz | Out | Hamstring |
| Ben Simmons | Brooklyn Nets | Out | Knee |
Utah Jazz vs. Brooklyn Nets: Betting Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Over/Under |
| Utah Jazz | +300 | +8.5 (-110) | O 232 (-110) |
| Brooklyn Nets | -365 | -8.5 (-110) | U 232 (-110) |
Starting 5s
Jazz: F Simone Fontecchio, F Kelly Olynyk, C Walker Kessler, G Talen Horter-Tucker, G Ochai Agbaji
Nets: F Cameron Johnson, F Dorian Finney-Smith, C Nic Claxton, G Mikal Bridges, G Spencer Dinwiddie
Utah Jazz vs. Brooklyn Nets: Betting Prediction
The two teams have played only once this season, with the Nets defeating the Jazz 117-106. They now have a chance at home to seal the series 2-0, as their home record is decent at 21-16. On the other hand, the Jazz are struggling on the road at only 14-25. When it comes to offense, Utah is doing a lot better, averaging 117.2 ppg, 6th in the league, whereas Brooklyn is ranked 17th, averaging 113.7 ppg. Defensively, the Nets are a lot better, conceding 112.8 ppg, 13th overall, while the Jazz are ranked 24th, conceding 117.9 ppg.
Since the Jazz are more desperate for wins, expect them to at least cover the spread tonight.
