We’ve got another trivial tank battle for the ages. Hide your children, warn those who have a faint of heart. The [Utah Jazz](https://www.slcdunk.com) (16-59) travel to North Carolina on their near-end-of-season road trip to battle it out against the Charlotte Hornets (18-56). While the Hornets haven’t given an official injury report due to their game last night against New Orleans, you can expect it to be a lengthy one at that. Tonight, it’s essentially the Utah Friendship Pals™ vs. Miles Bridges and Friends™.
The Jazz aren’t messing around, and have put on their battle face against their Cooper Flagg competitor. A total of 7 players are listed in their Sunday injury report, with Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler and John Collins sitting out yet again. Even with them on the floor, the Jazz have been shooting themselves in the foot night in and night out — ranking as the third-worst 3P% team in the NBA while consistently remaining the most prone turnover team.
Charlotte isn’t doing too hot themselves, netting the 29th offensive rating in the league. They sat LaMelo, Mark Williams and Josh Green — and are expected to do it again tonight against the worst team in the NBA. Like the Jazz, they’ve prioritized player development in this final stretch of the season. Rookie Tidjane Salaun has seen an increase in minutes along with Nick Smith Jr. and KJ Simpson.
It’s vitally important to keep the losses going with a total of seven games left in the season. With the Wizards sitting at 16-58, a single win could jeopardize Utah’s lottery odds. Cooper Flagg is a pretty cool cat, but the race is more about reducing Utah’s floor rather than looking at the ladder from the top downwards. Charlotte can easily foil Danny Ainge’s genius foolproof tank plan if they decide to stink the floor on the offensive end. They themselves need to build separation between themselves and the Pelicans while maintaining close distance to that sweet, juicy #2 spot on Tankathon.
**Injury Report**
**Jazz:**
_**QUESTIONABLE**_ \- Collin Sexton (right ischial tuberosity), Cody Williams (illness)
_**OUT**_ \- Jordan Clarkson (left plantar fascitis) John Collins (left ankle sprain), Walker Kessler (return to competition reconditioning), Lauri Markkanen (left knee soreness), Taylor Hendricks (right fibula fracture)
**Hornets:**
Not submitted
**How to Watch:**
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Who: Utah Jazz at Charlotte Hornets
When: March 31st, 5:00PM Mountain Time
Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte
Watch: Jazz+, KJZZ