Rudy's return- Jazz GDT

[FNG]

I can't watch live tonight, but I'm looking forward to watching the replay of this one. Rudy looked inspired Wednesday night after laying a turd in the previous game, and I expect him to have a terrific game tonight against a team with no center in the starting lineup and only a rookie getting serious minutes. Yes, we'll be missing KAT again (as well as Prince), but some of last year's good fortune is back as Utah may be missing three key players...Conley, Sexton and Markkanen (the first two for sure, and Lauri is sick). That's 3 of their top 6 scorers! The Wolves have played good basketball with KAT out but are still 2-point underdogs. This is a big game, and my sense is the Wolves will pull one out and go over .500 again. Let's go!

[kekgeek]

I can't watch live tonight, but I'm looking forward to watching the replay of this one. Rudy looked inspired Wednesday night after laying a turd in the previous game, and I expect him to have a terrific game tonight against a team with no center in the starting lineup and only a rookie getting serious minutes. Yes, we'll be missing KAT again (as well as Prince), but some of last year's good fortune is back as Utah may be missing three key players...Conley, Sexton and Markkanen (the first two for sure, and Lauri is sick). That's 3 of their top 6 scorers! The Wolves have played good basketball with KAT out but are still 2-point underdogs. This is a big game, and my sense is the Wolves will pull one out and go over .500 again. Let's go!

Conley is expected to return tonight

[FNG]

I can't watch live tonight, but I'm looking forward to watching the replay of this one. Rudy looked inspired Wednesday night after laying a turd in the previous game, and I expect him to have a terrific game tonight against a team with no center in the starting lineup and only a rookie getting serious minutes. Yes, we'll be missing KAT again (as well as Prince), but some of last year's good fortune is back as Utah may be missing three key players...Conley, Sexton and Markkanen (the first two for sure, and Lauri is sick). That's 3 of their top 6 scorers! The Wolves have played good basketball with KAT out but are still 2-point underdogs. This is a big game, and my sense is the Wolves will pull one out and go over .500 again. Let's go!

Conley is expected to return tonight

Just saw that, kek. That's big for the Utah, because they are 3-6 with him out. I still like our chances with Sexton out, Laurie sick (and questionable), and a 35-year-old PG perhaps rusty after a 9-game absence.

[Q-is-here]

I'll call it now, just as I did when we played Golden State. We have no chance against this team for the following reasons:

1. We won our last game and we know that this team has a hard time maintaining focus and discipline.

2. Utah is playing at home, where they are very good.

3. They have shooters. We don't. Bad combination.

[FNG]

I'll call it now, just as I did when we played Golden State. We have no chance against this team for the following reasons:

1. We won our last game and we know that this team has a hard time maintaining focus and discipline.

2. Utah is playing at home, where they are very good.

3. They have shooters. We don't. Bad combination.

I have the same concern and all three of your points are accurate, and you will probably be right. But my optimism stems from the following:

1) I have a sense an inspired Rudy is going to go 25/16 tonight while dominating inside.

2) I love the way we have played in KAT's absence. We are playing like we have something to prove, and that possibly negates your first point. I think we also have to consider (gasp!) that some of our players may be better with KAT out.

3) Lauri is sick and may not play...this virus that so many have seems to last a while (see McDaniels, Jaden). Lauri makes 41.3% of his threes and is their best rebounder. My Wolves winning prediction assumes an absent or limited Markkenen.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Malik Beasley is doing Malik Beasley things from the perimeter lately. Check out his last 10 performances from the three-point line.

at POR: 6-14 3P
at LAC: 2-10 3P
vs. DET: 8-15 3P
at GSW: 2-8 3P
at PHO: 2-7 3P
vs. CHI: 3-11 3P
vs. LAC: 1-7 3P
vs. IND: 4-11 3P
vs. POR: 1-6 3P
vs. GSW: 4-9 3P

When he's on, he's as good as any shooter in the league and he gets them up in a hurry. But far too often there are the games where he just can't get anything to fall, and it often ends up being a crusher for whatever team he's on because that's what he does. He's a feast or famine type of gunner in that way where just under 70-percent of his shot attempts are behind the arc. His shooting can win the game or it can lose it. Let's hope Malik can't find his stroke tonight and he gives us a solid 2-12 3P performance.

[kekgeek]

Would be huge if Lauri is out tonight. It would allow Rudy to guard Vando instead of Olynk

[FNG]

Would be huge if Lauri is out tonight. It would allow Rudy to guard Vando instead of Olynk

Great point...and I have no problem with either SloMo or Jaden on Olynyk. I never cheer for an opponent to miss a game because of an injury, but I have no problem with Lauri missing another game with the flu...gives us a much better chance of going over .500 again and moving to 3-1 in the post-KAT era.

[FNG]

The line has moved 2 points and is now a pick 'em. Seems to indicate that Lauri is out tonight.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

No Lauri Markkanen or Collin Sexton tonight. Jordan Clarkson and Malik Beasley starting for the Jazz backcourt.