Jazz at Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are attempting to sweep Utah for the first time as well as maintain their hold on sixth place in the Western Conference when they host the Jazz on Sunday. Golden State has won the first three meetings with Utah – two by double digits – and enters the season-series finale with a 1 1/2-game lead over the Dallas Mavericks. Utah resides in last place in the Western Conference and is experiencing its worst season since going 26-56 in 2004-05.
The Jazz are just 8-30 on the road and headed to the draft lottery after a disastrous season. Utah posted a 100-96 home win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday to halt a five-game losing streak. Golden State has won six of its last nine games and posted its top defensive effort of the season while crushing the Sacramento Kings 102-69 on Friday. The Warriors are 1 1/2 games behind the fifth-place Portland Trail Blazers and play the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers over the next two outings before a showdown in Portland on April 13.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, ROOT (Utah), CSN Bay Area (Golden State)
ABOUT THE JAZZ (24-52): Guard Gordon Hayward has suddenly stepped up his play with the season winding down and his upcoming journey as a restricted free agent out in front of him. Hayward is averaging 21 points over the last six games while temporarily setting aside his tendency of inconsistent performances. Hayward declined a contract offer from the Jazz prior to the season and it is pretty much assumed that the Boston Celtics – coached by Brad Stevens, Hayward’s coach at Butler – will be one of the teams that make a run at signing him. Hayward is averaging a career-high 16.1 points but shooting a career-worst 41.3 percent from the field.
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (47-29): Injuries to forward David Lee (hamstring) and center Andrew Bogut (pelvis/groin) have provided opportunity for other big men to shine and Golden State dominated the interior in its easy win over the Kings. Veteran Jermaine O’Neal contributed 13 points and nine rebounds against Sacramento, while journeyman Marreese Speights (12 points, 10 rebounds) recorded his first double-double of the season and second-year pro Draymond Green (10 points, 10 rebounds) notched his third career double-double. Lee has missed five straight games and is listed as questionable while Bogut has already been ruled out of his fifth straight contest.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Warriors PG Stephen Curry scored a season-high 44 points and went 8-of-13 from 3-point range in a 95-90 win over the Jazz on Jan. 31.
2. Utah G Alec Burks hit all 13 free-throw attempts in Friday’s win and is averaging 19 points over the last two games.
3. Golden State SG Klay Thompson is 9-of-15 from 3-point range over the past three games.