Utah Jazz vs Atlanta Hawks Picks and Predictions January 7th 2025

Jazz, Red-Hot Brice Sensabaugh Welcome in Banged-Up Hawks

The Utah Jazz return to Salt Lake City on Tuesday night brimming with confidence after ending a five-game losing streak with back-to-back road victories. The Jazz will host the Atlanta Hawks, who are struggling to maintain consistency amidst mounting injuries.

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Sensabaugh Stepping Up

Second-year forward Brice Sensabaugh has emerged as a rising star for Utah. He scored a career-high 34 points, including seven 3-pointers, in Saturday’s rout of the Miami Heat and followed up with 27 points in Sunday’s win over the Orlando Magic. These were Sensabaugh’s first two 25-point games of his career, and he now averages 9.4 points per game on the season.

“That’s a big win for (Sensabaugh). He’s out here killing,” Jazz guard Collin Sexton said. “Now we’ve got two games at home and we’ve got to get those as well.”

Jazz Dealing with Injuries

The Jazz played Sunday without three key starters: Lauri Markkanen (lower back spasms), John Collins (personal reasons), and Keyonte George (left heel soreness). Their status remains uncertain for Tuesday. Despite these absences, Utah has been buoyed by center Walker Kessler, an Atlanta native. Kessler averages 10.4 points, 11.3 rebounds, and leads the team with 14 double-doubles this season while shooting an impressive 71 percent from the field.

“I’m just trying to control what I can control,” Kessler said, summarizing his consistent approach.

Hawks Searching for Stability

The Hawks, meanwhile, have dropped three straight games during their six-game road trip, falling to .500 on the season. Atlanta has been plagued by injuries, with key players Jalen Johnson (right shoulder soreness) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (left lower leg injury management) sidelined in Saturday’s 131-105 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

These injuries have placed extra responsibility on Trae Young, the team’s leading scorer at 22.5 points per game. Young acknowledged the challenges the Hawks face amid their revolving lineup: “You never know who’s gonna be in and who’s gonna be out. So, that’s part of our problem.”

Defensive struggles have compounded Atlanta’s issues. The Hawks allowed 26 fastbreak points and committed 13 first-half turnovers in their loss to the Clippers, leading to a 20-point halftime deficit.

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Guard Dyson Daniels emphasized the connection between defense and offense: “The way we get our offensive game going and running is get stops in the defensive end, and when we’re giving up 120-plus, 130 a night, we’re not going to get many opportunities to get out and run.”

Key Players to Watch

• Brice Sensabaugh (Jazz): Can he continue his breakout stretch and carry the offensive load if Markkanen, Collins, or George remain out?
• Walker Kessler (Jazz): A double-double machine, Kessler will be pivotal in controlling the glass and protecting the rim.
• Trae Young (Hawks): Young needs to lead an injury-depleted Hawks squad while limiting turnovers and sparking the offense.
• Onyeka Okongwu (Hawks): Fresh off his return from injury, Okongwu will be key in providing energy and presence on both ends of the court.

Homecoming for Quin Snyder

This game marks Quin Snyder’s return to Utah, where he coached the Jazz for eight seasons (2014-22). His familiarity with the Jazz organization adds an intriguing subplot to this matchup.

What’s Next

Utah and Atlanta are both in search of momentum as the season progresses. The Jazz aim to build on their road success, while the Hawks hope to stabilize amidst injuries. With Sensabaugh and Young leading the charge for their respective teams, expect an intense and competitive clash.