Cleveland-cavaliers vs Utah Jazz Picks and Predictions December 23rd 2024

Jazz Eye Rare 3-Game Winning Streak Against Cavaliers

The Utah Jazz are riding a wave of newfound momentum as they visit Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night. For the first time this season, the Jazz have won consecutive games, giving them an opportunity to secure a rare three-game winning streak.

Jazz Finding Their Groove

Utah’s recent wins, a 126-119 victory over Detroit and a gritty 105-94 triumph against Brooklyn, have showcased the team’s ability to grind out results. Saturday’s win marked just the second time this season the Jazz held an opponent under 100 points.

“That’s two games in a row that we’ve won ugly,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “It hasn’t been because of just pretty offense the whole game.”

Utah shot 47.7 percent from the field against Brooklyn but struggled from beyond the arc, hitting only 14 of 41 3-point attempts. The team made up for it with strong defensive play and physicality, forcing 19 turnovers from the Nets.

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Lauri Markkanen, Utah’s top performer, is averaging 24 points and 10.5 rebounds in the current two-game winning streak. Markkanen commended the squad’s capacity to remain competitive amid offensive difficulties, stating, “Our physicality and defense kept us in the game.”

Cavaliers Continue Dominance

Cleveland, meanwhile, has been one of the league’s most consistent teams, boasting a 25-4 record and an NBA-best 16-1 mark at home. The Cavaliers are currently on a four-game winning streak, their second such stretch of the season, and remain one of the league’s premier offensive units.

The Cavs cruised to a 126-99 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, with Donovan Mitchell scoring all 19 of his points in the first half. Mitchell, who spent his first five seasons with the Jazz, is averaging 23.3 points per game this season.

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The Cavaliers also benefit from their depth, with former Jazz forward Georges Niang providing solid contributions off the bench. Additionally, sharpshooter Max Strus recently returned from an ankle injury, though he sat out Saturday’s game for rest. Strus’ status for Monday’s contest remains uncertain.

“He brings something that we’ve been missing,” Mitchell said of Strus. “And I think to say that while having the best record in the league is special.”

Contrasting Styles

Cleveland tops the NBA in field-goal percentage (50.5 percent) and stands second in scoring (121.7 points per game), posing a significant challenge for the Jazz, who are just starting to establish their defensive rhythm.

In contrast, the Jazz depend significantly on Lauri Markkanen and their developing defensive strategy. They will require another exceptional display from Markkanen and a united defensive approach to contain Cleveland’s potent offense.

Viewpoint

Although the Jazz are displaying signs of progress, the Cavaliers’ strong home performance and offensive strength position them as the obvious favorites. A victory for Utah would represent a notable accomplishment in their season of rebuilding, yet Cleveland’s depth and effectiveness might be too challenging to surpass. Anticipate an intense battle as both squads strive to uphold their winning streak.