Utah Jazz Face Tough Road Test Against Cleveland Cavaliers
The Utah Jazz travel to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, January 12, 2026. These two teams are moving in very different directions this season. Utah finds itself in the middle of a challenging rebuild. The Jazz enter this game on a four-game road losing streak. Injuries have severely limited their rotation. This situation makes an already difficult stretch even harder for the team.
Cleveland presents a stark contrast. The Cavaliers are steady and deep. They perform strongly at home and still have their main players available. With Utah struggling to stay healthy, this game sets up as a particularly tough night for the visitors. Something unexpected would need to happen for Utah to overcome these odds.
Injury Situation for Both Teams
Utah Jazz continue to deal with significant frontcourt issues. Walker Kessler is out for the entire season with a shoulder injury. Georges Niang remains sidelined due to a foot problem. Jusuf Nurkic is listed as probable while managing a toe issue. Ace Bailey is questionable because of hip soreness. Lauri Markkanen is resting as part of the team's workload management plan.
Cleveland Cavaliers have injuries of their own, though they are less damaging to their core rotation. Dean Wade is out with a knee injury. Larry Nance Jr. is sidelined due to a calf issue. Max Strus is also out with a foot injury. Despite these absences, Cleveland's main rotation remains largely intact and functional.
How to Watch the Game
The game will be played on Monday, January 12, at 7:00 PM Eastern Time. The venue is Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. Viewers have several options to watch the action. They can tune in through NBA League Pass, ESPN regional coverage, NBA TV, or FuboTV. For radio listeners, coverage is available on WTAM 1100 for Cavaliers broadcasts. A national feed is also accessible on SiriusXM NBA Radio.
Team Form and Key Numbers
Utah Jazz enters this contest with an 11-29 overall record. Their road record stands at a concerning 3-16. The team ranks near the bottom of the league in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Keyonte George has emerged as their most consistent scorer. He averages 22.3 points per game while also contributing 6.3 assists. Lauri Markkanen adds 19.1 points and 5.7 rebounds when he is available. Rebounding has become a major problem for Utah, especially without healthy big men. In a recent game, the Jazz were outrebounded by a staggering margin of 65-31.
Cleveland Cavaliers are tracking close to an impressive 30-10 record. Donovan Mitchell leads the team with 26.0 points per game. Darius Garland supports with averages of 17.1 points and 6.3 assists. Cleveland's balance on both ends of the floor has kept them among the league's best teams this season.
Team Record Comparison:
- Utah Jazz: 11-29 record, bottom five in offensive and defensive efficiency, key strength in perimeter scoring.
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Approximately 30-10 record, top five in offensive efficiency, top three in defensive efficiency, key strengths in wing defense and rebounding.
Game Outlook and Predictions
Cleveland opens as a 13.5-point favorite for this matchup. The projected total points for the game is 250.5. Utah's lack of size puts significant pressure on players like Kyle Filipowski. He faces a difficult matchup inside against Cleveland's frontcourt. If Ace Bailey does not play, Utah's perimeter defense could struggle even more. This is especially true against Donovan Mitchell in transition situations.
For Utah to stay competitive in this game, they will need an extremely efficient shooting night. They must also commit fewer mistakes than usual. Otherwise, this contest is set up for Cleveland to control from the opening tip-off. The Cavaliers have the depth and health advantage to dominate proceedings.
