The Utah Jazz are on the hunt for their first win of the season as they host the San Antonio Spurs at the Delta Center. Coming off a challenging start, the Jazz (0-4) face a Spurs team that arrives after a tough loss on Wednesday night in Oklahoma City, making this the second game in a back-to-back road swing for San Antonio.
San Antonio Spurs Overview
Struggling to find consistency, the Spurs dropped to a 1-3 record after a 105-93 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. In that game, San Antonio managed just 41.2% shooting from the field, marking their lowest-scoring effort this season. A key player, Victor Wembanyama, the 2024 Rookie of the Year, had an uncharacteristic game, scoring only six points on 1-of-5 shooting with four turnovers. This young team, guided by veteran coach Gregg Popovich, is focused on minimizing mistakes after giving up 27 points off turnovers against OKC.
“It’s about learning and consistency,” Popovich said post-game. “We’re working on developing as a team and taking better care of the ball.” Despite the setback, the Spurs aim to sharpen their approach as they head into Salt Lake City.
Utah Jazz Overview
Winless through four games, the Jazz are eager to break their streak on their home court. Utah’s early-season struggles are largely due to shooting woes, particularly for second-year guard Keyonte George, who has hit just 26.2% from the field. However, George contributed 11 assists in Utah’s recent 113-96 loss to the Sacramento Kings, demonstrating his ability to impact the game beyond scoring.
Adding to their troubles, injuries have sidelined key players. Lauri Markkanen exited early in their last game due to back spasms, and young talent Taylor Hendricks is out for the season. Rookies Cody Williams and Kyle Filipowski have stepped up, with Filipowski delivering 12 points and eight rebounds against Sacramento. The Jazz, facing early adversity, will look to these new faces for energy and resilience as they aim for their first win.
Prediction and Pick
This matchup could hinge on the energy levels of the Spurs, who are playing on back-to-back nights, and the Jazz’s ability to capitalize on their home-court advantage. With Wembanyama aiming to bounce back from a rare low-scoring game and Utah needing a spark to break their slump, both teams will bring intensity to the court.
- Pick: Utah Jazz -2.5
- Prediction: Utah 112, San Antonio 105
The Jazz’s familiarity with their home court and the Spurs’ fatigue could give Utah the edge they need to claim their first win.
