Live Game Thread: Brooklyn Nets vs. Utah Jazz, 7:30 PM EST

So, let’s play some defense guys, huh? The Brooklyn Nets are 3-4 on the season, and they head into the next week without Kevin Durant (he’s in quarantine) and playing some horrific defense as of late.

So, you know, play defense, guys. OK?

The Utah Jazz are in town with their 4-2 record, on a mini 2-game winning streak. Mike Conley is playing some great ball and old friend Bojan Bogdanovic comes “home.”

Hey, it would be nice to get this one.

WHO: Brooklyn Nets (3-4) vs. Utah Jazz (4-2)

WHEN: 7:30PM EST

WHERE: YES (tv), WFAN (radio)

Game Preview:

Without Durant, more of the scoring load will fall on Kyrie Irving’s shoulders. Irving has been wonderful this season for Brooklyn and is likely to heat up at a moment’s notice. He and Durant became more vocal than what we’ve been used to so far this season on Sunday, and it’s a welcome change. With so little time to get acclimated and now that injuries and COVID have reared their ugly heads, having Irving be vocal and placing everyone in their right spots on offense and defense takes on even more importance.

Irving will have his hands full with Mike Conley tonight. Conley’s debut season in Salt Lake City was disastrous and the second run has been going much better. Conley is another solid ballhandler and shot creator and if he’s on top of his game, it helps

If you were ever looking for a night to get Bruce Brown some run, tonight would work. Donovan Mitchell is one of the more dynamic scorers in the league but is shooting career lows in all areas this season. He’s taking more three pointers and isn’t finishing at the rim in the ways Jazz fans are used to. This season is weird so when (if?) the Nets face the Jazz in the second half of the season, I think he’ll be back to his usual level of play.

For more on the Jazz, check out SLC Dunk.