Jazz Look To Bounce Back Against Magic After Loss In Miami

Feb 26, 2021, 10:15 PM

Nikola Vucevic and Michael Carter-Williams of the Orlando Magic (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)

(Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz are making their second stop in Florida on consecutive nights when they face the Orlando Magic tonight.

The Jazz lost to the Miami Heat last night 124-116, starting thier four-game road trip off with a sour taste in their mouths.

It’s a flavor the Magic are all too familiar with this season, especially after suffering a 129-99 blowout loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.

Jazz Need To Bounce Back

The Jazz had a poor shooting night to open their road trip in Miami. As a team, they connected on just 42 percent of their shots from the floor and 32 percent from the three-point line.

Jordan Clarkson and Mike Conley were the Jazz worst offenders. Conley sunk just 6-15 from the floor and 2-7 threes, while Clarkson made a season-low 4-17 shoots from the floor and 3-12 from deep.

The @miamiheat followed the playbook for beating the @utahjazz, and won 124-116.

▪️ Jazz, Conley shoot poorly
▪️ Jazz never get momentum
▪️ Heat win sixth man battle#TakeNote https://t.co/2aGaXSPkE6

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 27, 2021

Despite a 30 point outing from Donovan Mitchell, the Jazz were unable to contain Jimmy Butler and Heat reserve guard Goran Dragic who combined to scored 59 of Miami’s 124 points.

The Jazz will need to shake off the loss quickly if they want to find a win in the Magic Kingdom.

Magic Looking To Find Momentum

After a terrific 6-2 start to the season, the Magic suffered a major blow when starting point guard Markelle Fultz was lost for the season due to an ACL injury.

The Magic lost six straight games after the injury and are just 7-18 in games since Fultz went down.

However, the Orlando team has found some momentum at home in recent weeks, winning four of their last seven games overall, including victories at Amway Center over the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, and Detroit Pistons.

🎥Postgame Highlights from Brooklyn pic.twitter.com/rsO2YIxUKP

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) February 26, 2021

After facing the Jazz, the Magic have home games against the Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks before the All-Star break.

In addition to Fultz, the Magic will be without Aaron Gordon who is dealing with a severe ankle sprain, and Jonathan Isaac who was also lost for the season.

Key Matchup

The key matchup between the Jazz and Magic will pit Rudy Gobet against Nikola Vucevic. Both players were chosen as All-Star reserves earlier this week and play big roles in their teams’ success.

Gobert is averaging 13.9 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks while leading the Jazz to the second-best defensive rating in the NBA.