Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Utah Jazz – NBA Preview
Cleveland Cavaliers and Utah Jazz will be meeting for the second time in this shortened season at Quicken Loans Arena on Monday.
Cavs who are yearning to halt their 5 game losing streak will be stepping in the arena with a bitter, 113-105 memory of last defeat at the hands of Jazz.
The said match was contested on January 10 and was marked with an inspiring performance from Al Jefferson, he netted a season high 30 points and had 12 boards while 3 other players hit double figure score to convert it into a 5
game winning streak for Jazz.
Paul Millsap had 19 points as he shot 9 of 10 along with the sophomore Derrick Favors who tallied 14. The duo combined for 27 of 33 scoring 63 points for Jazz, Utah were deadly inside the glass as they netted 56 points from that spot.
Cleveland had 22 points from Antawn Jamison and rookie Kyrie Irving chipped in with 20 while 3 other players hit a double figure index but that went into vain despite the fact they dominated in the 2nd and 3rd quarter respectively.
Moreover Jamison is in the groove recently, averaging 22.4 points and 8.7 rebounds in the last seven games and his team will be relying upon his performance in the next match.
Jazz couldn’t gather the momentum lately as they are avoiding a stigma to lose 7 straight games on the road for the 1st time since four years.
Their recent failure was against the Dallas Mavericks, a game which they lost by 102-96. The only happening thing for them was 24 points from Paul Millsap as they skidded down to 3-13 on the road.
"We felt like we tried our best to contain them as much as possible," said Millsap, second on the team with 15.7 points per game. "But they hit some tough shots that took us out of the game."
On the other hand Cavs are facing their own ordeal, a 5 game losing streak their longest since the last season’s NBA’s worst 26 game losing streak.
Their most recent dismissal was on Saturday against the Washington Wizards, 101-98 the game was close and they missed the chance to stretch it into the overtime after Anthony Parker missed a trey at the buzzer.
Kyrie Irving who has been impressive lately with 18.5 points per game average was exasperated.
"We definitely need to get back on the right track, It's definitely frustrating going game to game. Going down to the wire and you can't close it out. We just have to figure it out and try to get a win."
With both teams under an immense pressure and notably confronting each other for the last time in the season, this match will surely be exciting and closely contested.
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