Jazz at Cavaliers
THE STORY: The Utah Jazz have struggled on the road this season, but could finally be reaching a venue Monday where they can have a little success. The Cavaliers have lost five straight, tied with Charlotte for the league’s longest current losing streak. The Jazz are 3-13 on the road this season. They have won only once away from home since Jan. 17 and are making the second stop on a season-long five-game road swing.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports (Jazz), FS Ohio (Cavaliers)
ABOUT THE JAZZ (17-19): Raja Bell has missed the last six games with a strained adductor, but is expected to return Monday. He is shooting 43 percent on 3-pointers and has made at least one 3-pointer in each of his last 18 games, the longest streak in the league this season and the longest in club history since records were first kept in 1986-87. Bell’s 3-point prowess could be helpful against a Cavaliers' defense that has struggled to slow good shooters this season.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (13-22): The Cavaliers are winless since the All-Star break (0-4) and coach Byron Scott is doing what he can to break the slump. He shook up the starting lineup prior to Saturday’s loss at Washington, benching Omri Casspi and Semih Erden and making Alonzo Gee his small forward and Ryan Hollins his center. Both played well in their new roles, but the Cavaliers continue to slide further out of the playoff picture.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Top rookie Kyrie Irving is averaging 18.5 points and 5.2 assists. ... In his last seven games, veteran Antawn Jamison is averaging 22.4 points and 8.7 rebounds.
2. Al Jefferson had 30 points in the Jazz’s 113-105 victory over the Cavaliers on Jan. 10 at Utah.
3. The Cavaliers are 5-5 against Western Conference opponents this season, while the Jazz are 6-3 against the East.