Cavaliers and Jazz Enter Monday with Starkly Different Outlooks
The Utah Jazz and Cleveland Cavaliers approach Monday's game from completely opposite perspectives. The Cavaliers delivered what many consider their finest performance of the year on Saturday. They dominated the Minnesota Timberwolves with a convincing 146-134 victory, showcasing their explosive offensive capabilities.
Conversely, the Jazz endured their most lopsided defeat since moving to Salt Lake City. The Charlotte Hornets overwhelmed them 155-95 on the same day. Utah played without Lauri Markkanen, who is expected to return for Monday's contest. His presence should provide a significant boost. However, any team that suffers a 55-point home loss to the Hornets faces serious questions about its current form.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Utah Jazz: Game Details
The Cleveland Cavaliers versus Utah Jazz matchup tips off on Monday, January 12, at 7:00 PM Eastern Time. The game will be held at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Fans can watch the broadcast on the FanDuel Sports Network Ohio channel and the FanDuel Sports Network App. For online streaming, NBA League Pass and Fubo will carry the live action.
Expected Starting Lineups
Cleveland Cavaliers
- PG: Darius Garland
- SG: Donovan Mitchell
- SF: Jaylon Tyson
- PF: Evan Mobley
- C: Jarrett Allen
Utah Jazz
- PG: Keyonte George
- SG: Brice Sensabaugh
- SF: Ace Bailey
- PF: Lauri Markkanen
- C: Jusuf Nurkic
Injury Report for Both Teams
Cleveland Cavaliers
- Dean Wade - Out (Knee)
- Max Strus - Out (Foot)
- Chris Livingston - Out (Two-way contract)
Utah Jazz
- Georges Niang - Out (Foot)
- Jusuf Nurkic - Day-to-day (Toe)
- Ace Bailey - Day-to-day (Hip)
- Elijah Harkless - Day-to-day (Unspecified)
- Walker Kessler - Out (Left shoulder surgery)
Game Prediction and Key Statistics
Sportsbooks list the Cavaliers as heavy favorites with a 13.5-point spread. This line reflects Cleveland's strong momentum and Utah's struggles. The Cavaliers enter this game riding high, while the Jazz languish near the bottom of the Western Conference standings.
Monday's NBA slate features this intriguing duel between Utah and Cleveland. The Cavaliers beat Minnesota 146-134 on Saturday. The Jazz fell to Charlotte 150-95. Utah holds a 13-25 record this season and sits fifth in the Northwest Division. They have posted a 5-7 record against Eastern Conference opponents.
Historically, the Jazz lead the overall series against the Cavaliers 62-54. However, Cleveland has won six of the last seven meetings between these teams. According to the latest odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, the Cavaliers are 13-point favorites. The over/under for total points scored is set at 250.5.
