'Bad To The Bone': Hornets Visit Struggling Jazz In Pivotal Matchup

The Contenders

The Charlotte Hornets and Utah Jazz will face off in a pivotal matchup tonight with both teams looking to improve their playoff positioning. The Hornets (34-36) are currently in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, while the Jazz (31-39) are in 10th place in the Western Conference.

The Hornets

The Hornets have been one of the most surprising teams in the NBA this season. After finishing with a league-worst 23-49 record last season, they have turned things around this year behind the play of young stars LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges.

Ball is averaging 20.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game this season. He has quickly become one of the most exciting young players in the league and is a major reason for the Hornets' success this season.

Bridges is averaging 20.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game this season. He has emerged as a reliable scorer and defender for the Hornets and is another key reason for their success this season.

The Jazz

The Jazz have been one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA this season. After reaching the second round of the playoffs last season, they have struggled this year due to injuries and poor play.

Donovan Mitchell is averaging 25.9 points per game this season, but he has not been as efficient as he was last season. Rudy Gobert is averaging 15.1 points and 14.7 rebounds per game, but he has not been as dominant on the defensive end as he has been in the past.

The Jazz have also been hit hard by injuries this season. Mike Conley has missed 20 games, Joe Ingles has missed 34 games, and Bojan Bogdanovic has missed 17 games.

The Matchup

The Hornets and Jazz are evenly matched on paper. Both teams have young stars who can score and playmaker. Both teams also have solid defenses.

The key to the matchup will be which team can make shots. The Hornets are shooting 45.9% from the field this season, while the Jazz are shooting 44.8% from the field.

The Hornets are also the better three-point shooting team. They are shooting 37.1% from three-point range this season, while the Jazz are shooting 34.9% from three-point range.

If the Hornets can make shots, they will be tough to beat. However, if the Jazz can make shots, they have the talent to win this game.

The Stakes

Tonight's game is a big one for both the Hornets and the Jazz. The Hornets need a win to stay in the playoff race, while the Jazz need a win to improve their playoff position.

The winner of tonight's game will have a major advantage in the playoff race. The loser will have their playoff hopes on the line.

Conclusion

Tonight's game between the Hornets and Jazz is a pivotal matchup for both teams. The Hornets need a win to stay in the playoff race, while the Jazz need a win to improve their playoff position.

The Hornets are the slight favorites in this game, but the Jazz have the talent to win if they can make shots. The winner of tonight's game will have a major advantage in the playoff race. The loser will have their playoff hopes on the line.