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(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)SALT LAKE CITY -- After going 2-3 in their five-game stretch away from home, the Utah Jazz (16-13) will return to Energy Solutions Arena Saturday night to take on the Philadelphia 76ers (7-21).
In spite of having to come home on the backside of a loss, the Jazz will have a chance to regain some momentum having a Utah crowd behind them for the first time since their Dec. 14 loss to Minnesota.
Immediately following their 108-110 loss to the Timberwolves, Utah headed out on the road and tried to claim wins in New Jersey, Atlanta, Charlotte, Orlando and Miami, but were only able to snag two. Utah's three losses moved their road record to 5-9 on the season.
Game 30Utah Jazz (16-13)
vs. Philadelphia 76ers (7-21)
Date: Saturday December 26, 2009
Time: 7:00 p.m. MT
Site: EnerguSolutions Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
TV: FSN Utah : Comcast - Ch. 52 (HD Ch. 693); DIRECTV - Ch. 684 (HD Ch. 684-1); DISH - Ch. 445 (HD Ch. 9515)
Radio: 1320 AM KFAN or 98.7 FM
Season Series Record: Jazz 1, 76ers 0
Last Season Series Record: Jazz 2, 76ers 0
Last Meeting: 11/13/2009 - Jazz 112, 76ers 90
KSL takes a look back and ahead as we prep for the game against the 76ers.
What did we learn about the Jazz against the Miami Heat?
- It's evident that the Jazz struggle on the road, but they seem to have replaced San Antonio with Miami, in terms of their overwhelming inability to beat them. Utah's loss to the Heat marked the eleventh time the Jazz have fallen to Miami in 12 games, and also the seventh time in a row that they've lost in AmericanAirlines Arena.
- In spite of a valiant effort early in the game, Carlos Boozer couldn't get the Jazz the win by himself. After scoring Utah's first 12 points, Boozer was held to just two points for the duration of the game. Deron Williams was the only other Jazz player to put double-digits on the scoreboard.
- And the broken record - Utah's starters have to find ways to be more productive. Chances are that when the starting lineup has more turnovers than they do assists, the game is not going to end in Utah's favor.
What can the Jazz expect from the 76ers?
- With a 7-21 overall record and a 3-11 slate on the road, Philly presents another great opportunity for the Jazz to strengthen their own season record. The Jazz have had some problems beating teams they should have had no trouble beating in the past, but Saturday's game is a good chance for Utah to begin to repair their reputation and win like they should.
- The Sixers have had to make some adjustments to their lineup as Allen Iverson returned to Philadelphia and Louis Williams was kept from starting the last two games to make room for Willie Green in the starting five. Philly is still making changes because, clearly, nothing else has been working.
- The Jazz are on a two-game losing streak, and, as a team that knows all too well the frustrating weight of frequent losses (at home and away), the Sixers will be coming to let someone else bear the burden they've been carrying the entire season - even if it's just for the night.
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 - C.J. Miles, 6-6, 227 lbs., Skyline HS (TX)
- PG - Deron Williams, 6-3, 207 lbs., Illinois
Probable 76ers starting lineup
- C - Samuel Dalembert, 6-11, 250 lbs., Seton Hall
- SF - Andre Iguodala, 6-6, 207 lbs., Arizona
- PF - Thaddeus Young, 6-8, 220 lbs., Georgia Tech
- SG - Willie Green, 6-3, 201 lbs., Detroit
- PG - Jrue Holiday, 6-4, 180 lbs., UCLA
76ers' leadersAndre Iguodala, 19.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg / Louis Williams, 16.3 ppg, 4.9 apg
Jazz Injury Updates
- Kyle Korver - (knee) Questionable
- Paul Millsap - (concussion) Questionable
76ers Injury Updates
- Allen Iverson - (knee, shoulder) OUT
- Lou Williams - (Fractured Jawbone) OUT
Conclusion
The Jazz have played well at home so far this season, and with just one game to play in Salt Lake City before heading out for two more games on the road, they need to record Saturday's matchup as a win. Utah can't be happy with the 5-9 road record they've established at this point, but they'd likely be feeling even more disappointed if they let themselves better the Sixers' 3-11 road record with a win in Energy Solutions Arena.
