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What did the Jazz do over the summer?
Tank-mode, ACTIVATE! (*reverse Transformers transforming sound plays*) There are only six players on this season's Jazz that played in SLC last season. Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, Devin Harris, C.J. Miles, Earl Watson, Raja Bell, our old friend Josh Howard, and a few others have all moved on. The holdovers are Enes Kanter, Derrick Favors, Alec Burks, Jeremy Evans, Gordon Hayward, and Jamaal Tinsley.
Obviously, Utah is playing for the future and trying to clear cap space and get a favorable draft pick. There are apparently some really talented teenagers out there who want to go pro in the summer of 2014. Who knew? The Jazz did nab a solid player in last summer's draft in Trey Burke, who was out due to injury until recently.
What has the Jazz done lately?
This about sums it up.
However, Trey Burke returned from injury on Wednesday night! He had 11 points off the bench and shot the ball well. That is reason enough for hope in Utah, right? This season hasn't been kind to them in the least. Everyone thought the Sixers were going to be the worst team this season but the Jazz has stolen their thunder. Utah just keeps losing. Oh, speaking of thunder, the Jazz are in the same division as the Thunder and play them after they face the Mavs. The outlook only gets bleaker. Sad face.
Which Mavericks player might be due for a big game?
Jae Crowder hasn't been shooting the ball well since his fiery debut this season. Surely, a team as bad as the Jazz will allow Jae to get his shooting touch back. Well, one can hope anyway.
What do the Mavs need to do to be successful against the Jazz?
Show up and play coherent basketball. That's really about it. The Jazz are 1-11. They have lost to both the Celtics and the Nets. Those teams stink! Dallas has a knack for playing down to their opponent at times but this is just simply a case where the Mavericks can walk onto the floor, hit some shots, and go home with a win. If they don't, pray for everyone in Carlisle's presser after the game.