Utah Jazz vs Chicago Bulls preview: start time, channel, injury report, NBA

The recently in trouble Utah Jazz take on the Chicago Bulls This evening. While the Bulls and Jazz are relatively close to each other in the standings (the Jazz are 1.5 games behind), the two teams’ trajectories this season are in opposite directions. The Jazz are 5 games out of the Play-In tournament, traded 3 rotation players for future draft compensation, and have real incentive to lose to keep their lottery pick. The Bulls are the 9th seed in the East and have made decisions that indicate their desire to compete now. These differences have resulted in the Bulls being 5-5 in the last 10 games while the Jazz are just 2-8 (both wins coming against each worst team in the Conference). Despite the current trend, the game is in Utah and the Jazz are 19-11 at home, so a win tonight wouldn’t be a surprise.

Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images

The Jazz lose several rotation players tonight, including their star-level player, Lauri Markkanen, and most of their good defenders. With that in mind, don’t be surprised if the Bulls score around 125 tonight, about 13 more points than they usually score and about 5 more points than the Jazz usually give up. In order to make up for what will likely be a poor defensive outing, the Jazz will likely need an efficient 30-point performance from Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, or Keyonte George (he’s questionable for tonight’s game). John Collins will need to have a good night cutting effectively and getting some outs as well. Two-way player Johnny Juzang will likely get rotation minutes tonight, like in the Wizards game. If Keyonte George doesn’t dress tonight, the Jazz could turn to G-League triple-double machine Jason Preston to get some rotation minutes as well. Micah Potter could also play it. The remaining 20 games of the season will provide SLC Stars players with the opportunity to play with the Jazz, and tonight will be no exception.

Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images

Game information

When: March 6 – 7:00 p.m. MT

Where: Delta Center – Salt Lake City, Utah

Watch/stream on: Jazz+, KJZZ

Listen: KSL 1160 AM and 102.7

Injury report

OUT: Lauri Markkanen

RELEASED: Walker Kessler

OUT: Taylor Hendricks

RELEASED: Otto Porter Jr.

QUESTIONABLE: Keyonte George

QUESTIONABLE: Micah Potter

QUESTIONABLE: Jason Preston