The Golden State Warriors will play the Utah Jazz in an important showdown before the 2024 NBA All-Star break, with both teams looking for a key win in the Western Conference standings. The Warriors, presently 10th in the conference with a 26-26 record, are hoping to rebound from a hard defeat suffered against the Los Angeles Clippers which ended their five-game winning streak. However, that game exposed how open they are to defensive breakdowns, which is something they must fix against the Jazz.
But with the All-Star weekend coming up and the Dubs squad being exhausted after their game against the Clippers last night, will all their players be taking part in this showdown?
The Warrior’s core team is expected to play
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Following a tough game against the Clippers, the Golden State Warriors are concerned about the availability of their main players, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, for their upcoming game against the Utah Jazz. Both players are sure to be exhausted after the competitive game and will need to preserve their energy, especially with All-Star weekend approaching. Curry, in particular, because he will be competing in the first-ever NBA vs. WNBA three-point battle against Sabrina Ionescu, which will add to his workload.
Furthermore, Green, who played almost 35 minutes against the Clippers, narrowly missed a double-double, demonstrating his great effort for the team. So, given these conditions, it’s logical that the Warriors may want to rest Curry and Green to guarantee they’re fresh for future games. However, none of the players are mentioned on the injury report, so as of now both of them will be a part of the game. And with them being in the squad the projected lineup for the Warriors will include Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, and Draymond Green.
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In contrast, the Jazz have been struggling since their six-game winning streak ended in early January, winning only four of their last 13 games. Their defense, which was initially their strength, has deteriorated and become the worst in the NBA with a 125.5 rating over this period. So, the Jazz will need to capitalize on their size advantage against the Warriors, with guys like Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, and Walker Kessler playing key roles.
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Furthermore, the Warriors defeated the Jazz 129-107 on the road last Monday, giving them a 1-0 season series lead. So, the Golden State has two of their next three games against the Jazz at Chase Center, giving them the potential to extend their series lead.
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