NBA Preview from The Sports Network
Wednesday, January 9th
(All times Eastern)
Utah Jazz (18-18) at Charlotte Bobcats (9-24), 7 p.m.
(Sports Network) - The Utah Jazz look for their fourth win in five games
Wednesday night when they visit the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable
Arena.
The Jazz won two of these three recent victories at home, but begin a three-
game trip east where they will also visit the Atlanta Hawks and Detroit
Pistons.
Utah defeated the Dallas Mavericks at home on Monday night, 100-94. The Jazz
outscored Dallas 19-4 basically from the start of the fourth quarter and that
was enough to seal the victory.
Gordon Hayward led the way for the Jazz with 27 points, six rebounds and five
assists. It was Hayward's sixth straight double-figure scoring night and four
other Jazz players reached double digits.
But Hayward was the real key and he left a mark on the opposition.
"Hayward had a great game. He hurt us all night long," said Mavs coach Rick
Carlisle. "He is a very athletic player. He is very skilled and he understands
how to play. He got us time and time again. There were a few plays down the
stretch where he hit a shot or got his hand on the ball or something. All
those things add up."
Marvin Williams joined Mo Williams as injured Jazz players. He is listed as
out for Wednesday's game with right knee inflammation.
The Bobcats head into the contest winners of two of their last three. Their
most recent victory came on Sunday when they earned their fourth road victory
of the season, a 108-101 overtime win over the Pistons.
Six Bobcats scored in double figures, led by 20 from Kemba Walker. He also
handed out seven assists and was the only starter with a helper on Sunday. Ben
Gordon had 18 off the bench and Ramon Sessions chipped in 15 in a reserve
role.
Tyrus Thomas is back from injury and had a season-high 13 points in a season-
high 38 minutes. Bismack Biyombo was a force on the interior with 10 points
and 17 rebounds.
The Bobcats struggled behind the 3-point line, going 3-for-13, but they forced
22 Pistons turnovers, which they turned into 26 points.
The Jazz have won six straight in this series.
01/09 10:44:20 ET

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