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SALT LAKE CITY -- After being dismantled by the Lakers, the Utah Jazz (12-9) will try to regroup when they face the red-hot Orlando Magic Thursday.
The Orlando Magic (17-4) have the second best record in the NBA and are riding a six-game winning streak. They also have won eight straight on the road.
The Magic know how to score points, averaging 111 points over their last five outings. Vince Carter leads the team, averaging 19.3 points per game.
On the other side, the Jazz completely disappeared in their matchup against Los Angeles Wednesday. The Jazz only scored six points in the fourth quarter as the Lakers blew the game open, winning 101-77.
"In that fourth quarter they just came out and destroyed us," said Jazz Head Coach Jerry Sloan. "We were hanging in that ball game, but that just shows you what kind of team they have.
"We've got to have short memory, learn from it and move on. Dust it off a little bit and get ready for Orlando," Jazz power forward Carlos Boozer said after the loss. "We can definitely play a lot better-I think everybody out there can see that. Tip our hats off to them, they played great, but we'll play better [against Orlando]."
KSL takes a look back and ahead as we prep for the game against the Magic.
What did we learn about the Jazz against the Los Angeles Lakers?
- The Jazz were competitive through three quarters with the NBA's best team. Too bad the games are four quarters. Do the Jazz have the stamina to continuously play at a high level?
- Two baskets in the entire fourth quarter? Hats off to the Lakers for impressive defense, but 2-18 shooting in the quarter is terrible.
- Shooting 33.7% isn't going to get you a win - at home or on the road.
What can the Jazz expect from the Magic?
- The Magic are on fire, winning 6 straight. They also are on an eight game road winning streak.
- Dwight Howard dominates the paint (3rd in the NBA averaging 12 rebounds per game), while Vince Carter has been shooting well from the perimeter
- Orlando has scored over 100 three straight times against the Jazz. Dwight Howard is 2nd in the NBA in field goal percentage (64.8%)
Probable Jazz starting lineup
- C - Mehmet Okur, 6-11, 273 lbs., Turkey
- PF - Carlos Boozer, 6-9, 260 lbs., Duke
- SF - Ronnie Brewer, 6-7, 236 lbs., Arkansas
- SG - Wesley Matthews, 6-5, 224 lbs., Marquette
- PG - Deron Williams, 6-3, 207 lbs., Illinois
Probable Magic starting lineup
- C - Dwight Howard, 6-11, 265 lbs., SW Atlanta Christian (GA)
- PF - Rashard Lewis, 6-10, 230 lbs., Alief Elsik HS (TX)
- SF - Mickael Pietrus, 6-6, 215 lbs., Les Abymes, Guadeloupe
- SG - Vince Carter, 6-6, 220 lbs., North Carolina
- PG - Jason Williams, 6-1, 180 lbs., Florida
Magic leaders
Vince Carter 19.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg / Dwight Howard 18.1 ppg, 12.1 rpg
Jazz Injury Updates
- Andrei Kirilenko - (back) Doubtful
- Kyle Korver - (left knee surgery) OUT
- Ronnie Price - (toe) OUT
- Kyrylo Fesenko - (Stomach virus) Doubtful
- Matt Harpring - (ankle, knee) OUT
Magic Injury Updates
- Adonal Foyle - right knee surgery, OUT (return based on his response to treatment)
Conclusion
Coming off a back-to-back against one of the better teams in the NBA will be a tough test for Utah. Can the Jazz rebound after such an epic meltdown in LA? Clearly they will need to shoot the ball better, but they will also need to play tough defensively to slow down Dwight and Vince. The Magic have won four straight over the Jazz.
