[9:00 PM] Heat @ Jazz

Who will WIN this matchup?

Miami Heat (5-12)

@ Utah Jazz (11-8)

 

• The line for this game is Jazz by 10 points.

• Gordon Hayward is on a roll and the Utah Jazz keep winning basketball games. The Utah small forward aims to reach 20 points for a career-best sixth consecutive contest and the Jazz shoot to win their fifth straight game when they host the Miami Heat on Thursday.

• Miami was expecting guard Tyler Johnson to miss his second straight game but he played against the Nuggets and contributed 18 points and seven assists in 28 minutes off the bench. Johnson had oral surgery Monday after having an implant knocked out during a recent game and played with a fitted mouth guard.

• Hayward is putting together an All-Star caliber season and is averaging 25.2 points during his five-game streak to raise his season average to 21.4. Utah power forward Derrick Favors (knee) has missed the past seven games and center Rudy Gobert has stepped up his play during Favors’ absence. Gobert registered 16 points, 14 rebounds and three blocked shots against the Rockets for his fourth straight double-double and 11th of the season and he is shooting a stellar 63.4 percent from the field.

• Hayward recorded 25 points and nine rebounds as the Jazz posted a 102-91 victory over the Heat on Nov. 12.

• Miami SG Dion Waiters (thigh) will be re-evaluated in two weeks after an MRI exam revealed a torn muscle.

• Utah SG Rodney Hood (hamstring) is questionable after being injured Tuesday with an ensuing MRI exam displaying no major damage.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Utah Jazz

Confidence: 6/10

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