What to Watch for in Jazz-Spurs Matchup Tonight

The Utah Jazz host the San Antonio Spurs tonight at the Delta Center. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. MDT (9 p.m. EDT). Utah comes in at 1-1 after a 109-97 victory at Denver on Oct. 4 and a 117-106 loss to the same Nuggets at Delta Center on Oct. 6.

Here are some key storylines to watch for tonight.

Life Without Nurkic

Nurkic will be out for the foreseeable future. The veteran big man will be re-evaluated in about four weeks after a partial plantar plate tear in his right foot.

Against Denver on Oct. 6, coach Will Hardy started Jaxson Hayes and Jaren Jackson Jr. The duo gave the Jazz solid rim protection and held Denver to 24 points in the first quarter. Watch to see if Hardy runs that same frontcourt tandem at some point and whether they both hold up against Victor Wembanyama. Also look for how they defend him inside and outside the paint.

Lauri Markkanen's Return

Markkanen sat out the second Denver matchup with neck soreness but is expected to play tonight. His status is worth confirming before tip-off.

Hardy could tinker with a lineup consisting of Markkanen, Jackson and Hayes. If that's the case, Markkanen will get most of his looks on the perimeter.

Ace Bailey's Role

If Markkanen returns tonight, Ace Bailey could return to the bench and play as a sixth man. Coach Will Hardy has been pleased with Bailey's first two preseason games. 

The Jazz wing said in camp that he put on 10 to 12 pounds this offseason. If the game tightens, look for Hardy to give Bailey important minutes down the stretch. Bailey could be tasked with guarding multiple positions on the floor tonight.

Darryn Peterson's Follow-Up

Peterson exploded for 23 points on 10-of-18 shooting in the second game after mixed reviews of his rough stretch in the opener. 

The Spurs will surely throw Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle at him, so it will be a good test to see how he handles both size and intense ball pressure.

Ball Movement

Utah had 28 assists on 39 field goals against Denver. Hardy made sharing the ball a camp emphasis. See if Utah can keep it rolling, and if it will survive when Utah faces a team like the Spurs that rely on length and switching from all positions.

Two-Way Evaluation

Tonight's game could be a make-or-break game for some of the fringe players on the roster. On Oct. 6, Blake Hinson scored 18 points in 20 minutes. Keep a lookout for other two-way players Trey Alexander and Tamar Bates, and if either of them plays well, they could open some eyes.