Utah Jazz Invite Toronto Raptors To First-Half Block Party

SALT LAKE CITY – In the first-half against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, the Utah Jazz seven-footer’s played stifling rim defense.

Utah’s starting lineup consisted of three players who are 6’11” and taller. Naturally, the Raptors struggled to get open looks in the paint.

⚠️ BLOCKER KESSLER ALERT ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/go53eEjLFQ

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 2, 2023

The Jazz had 10 blocks in the first half. They average 4.8 blocks per game this season.

Walker Kessler did most of the defensive damage for Utah. The rookie had 6 first-half blocks in his first game since being named to the Rising Stars Challenge.

🤠 block #100 🤠#TakeNote | @WalkerKessler13 pic.twitter.com/lWUyxfxnyn

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 2, 2023

Lauri Markkanen and Kelly Olynyk also got in on the defensive action.

cueing up 𝘉𝘭𝘰𝘹𝘬 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘺 🎵#TakeNote | @MarkkanenLauri pic.twitter.com/ueIU1dAW1u

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 2, 2023

The Raptors come into Utah after falling to the Phoenix Suns on Monday night, with next weeks trade deadline at front of mind.

Jazz Look To Stay Competitive In West

Despite three days off, the Jazz actually climbed in the Western Conference Standings since their last win, moving from 10th to ninth due to owning the tiebreaker with the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Jazz sit a half game behind the Minnesota Timberwolves for eighth in the West and are just one game behind the fifth-seeded Golden State Warriors.

Updated standings are here 🗣️

📲 https://t.co/6FlAliik3X pic.twitter.com/7pYw2eBEXJ

— NBA (@NBA) February 1, 2023

On the flip side, the Jazz can ill afford a long string of losses. Both the Oklahoma City Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers sit one game back of the Jazz, while the Los Angeles Lakers are two games back in the 13th seed.

Toronto marks the second game in a five-game homestand which concludes next Wednesday against the Timberwolves.

Raptors Steeped In Trade Rumors

Like the Jazz the Raptors find themselves in an awkward space trying to compete to qualify for the playoffs, while also being heavily discussed in trade rumors.

Toronto is one game back of the 10th-seeded Indiana Pacers in the East and is very much in the hunt to make the postseason play-in tournament.

The NBA Trade Deadline is two weeks from today, and the @utahjazz have been involved in numerous rumors.

Check out our running Utah Jazz Trade Deadline landing page with all the rumors you need to follow for each Jazz player. #TakeNote https://t.co/NlPGgoRpdY

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 26, 2023

However, it’s no secret that All-Stars Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam have been shopped around, as well as dynamic wing OG Anunoby.

Anunoby will not be in uniform against the Jazz as he misses his third consecutive game with a wrist injury.

The Raptors would face long odds of making a deep playoff run even if they were to qualify for the play-in tournament due to the top-heavy balance of teams in the Eastern Conference.

Both the Jazz and Raptors are expected to be active ahead of the February 9 trade deadline.

Utah Jazz vs. Toronto Raptors Broadcast

The Utah Jazz and Toronto Raptors will tip off at 7 pm MT in Salt Lake City. The game will be televised on AT&T SportsNet and can be heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. It can also be streamed on DirecTV Stream and FuboTV.

Chandler Holt is a Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter at @ChandlerHoltKSL.