The Utah Jazz (3-2) will wrap up their 6-game preseason schedule tonight as they take on the Portland Trail Blazers at Vivint Smart Home Arena at 7:00 PM. The Jazz will tip-off the regular season Tuesday night in Portland against the same Portland Trail Blazers at 8:00 PM.
Despite the injuries of Rodney Hood, Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, and Alec Burks still rehabbing, there has been some positives during the preseason. Dante Exum is looking more comfortable as the preseason has progressed. Rudy Gobert has played really well. He is scoring the ball and is doing great rebounding the ball as well. He is also a main part of the team’s success on defense. One positive of the injuries has been that it has allowed for other players to get more playing time. Hopefully, by Tuesday, Rodney Hood (will play tonight) and Derrick Favors will be ready to go, and Alec Burks won’t be too far behind. Gordon Hayward has been running drills on his own during practices without the ball trying to stay in as best of shape and sharp as he can. He is still a few weeks away from returning from his broken finger.
It will be good to finally get the regular season going next week. The Jazz have a lot of buzz surrounding them this year. Can they put it all together on the court this season and make the playoffs? Only time will tell. But, with all the new veterans as well as the depth on this team, they have a very good chance.
Here is Utah Jazz Head Coach Quin Snyder with the media after shoot around:
Rodney Hood will return tonight for the Jazz as he has been out with a sprained wrist/finger. He talked with the media after shoot around. Here is the audio:
Utah Jazz Center Rudy Gobert talked with the media following shoot around as well:
The media also caught up with Utah Jazz Point Guard Shelvin Mack:
