The Utah Jazz head to Cleveland for a non-conference matchup against the Cavaliers on January 12, 2026. The Jazz are struggling this season, sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference with a dismal road record, while the Cavaliers are holding steady in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. This game features intriguing storylines, including Donovan Mitchell facing his former team and Lauri Markkanen returning to the arena where he briefly played early in his career. Cleveland enters as heavy favorites, looking to build on a recent high-scoring win, while Utah aims to rebound from one of the franchise’s worst losses.
Venue
Location: Rocket Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Tip-Off Time: 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT)
TV/Streaming: KJZZ, Jazz+, FDSOH; available on NBA League Pass
Rocket Arena has been a fortress for the Cavaliers this season, where they’ve gone 14-9 with a strong defensive rating of 105.7 points allowed per game at home.
Injury Report
Both teams are dealing with key absences that could impact rotations and defensive schemes.
Utah Jazz Injuries:
Ace Bailey (G): Questionable – Left Hip Flexor Strain
Jusuf Nurkic (C): Probable – Left 1st MTP Sprain
Georges Niang (F): Out – Left Foot (Fourth Metatarsal Stress Reaction)
Walker Kessler (C): Out – Left Shoulder (Injury Recovery)
Elijah Harkless (G), John Tonje (F), Oscar Tshiebwe (F): Out – G League Assignment
The Jazz are thin in the frontcourt without Kessler and Niang, putting extra pressure on Markkanen and Nurkic (if he plays) to handle rebounding and interior defense.
Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries:
Dean Wade (F): Out – Left Knee Contusion
Max Strus (G/F): Out – Left Foot (Surgery – Jones Fracture)
Chris Livingston (F), Luke Travers (F): Out – G League Assignment
The Cavs miss Strus’s shooting and Wade’s versatility, but their core of Mitchell, Garland, Mobley, and Allen remains intact.
Key Player Matchups
This game pits elite scorers against vulnerable defenses. Expect high-volume shots from the stars.
Donovan Mitchell (CLE) vs. Keyonte George/Brice Sensabaugh (UTA): Mitchell, averaging 29.8 PPG (4th in NBA), returns against his old team where he starred from 2017-22. Utah’s backcourt has struggled defensively (118.7 road rating, 28th in league), so Mitchell could exploit mismatches for 30+ points.
George (starting PG) will need to contain Mitchell’s drives, but Sensabaugh’s youth might lead to fouls.
Lauri Markkanen (UTA) vs. Evan Mobley (CLE): Markkanen (27.9 PPG, 10th in NBA) is Utah’s top scorer and a stretch big who played for Cleveland in 2021-22. Mobley, a defensive anchor (averaging 2.0 blocks), will challenge Markkanen’s perimeter game. If Nurkic plays, this could turn into a battle of the bigs with Jarrett Allen.
Darius Garland (CLE) vs. Cody Williams (UTA): Garland’s playmaking (8.0 APG) could carve up Utah’s perimeter defense. Williams, a rookie, brings length but lacks experience against elite guards.
Other notes: Cleveland’s bench (Merrill, Tyson) has stepped up recently, while Utah relies on youth like Hendricks and Collier for energy.
Recent Team Forms
The Jazz are in a tailspin, while the Cavaliers are inconsistent but coming off a statement win.
Utah Jazz Last 10 Games (3-7):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Jan 10 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | L | 95-150 |
| Jan 8 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W | 116-114 |
| Jan 7 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | L (OT) | 125-129 |
| Jan 5 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L | 117-137 |
| Jan 3 | @ Golden State Warriors | L | 114-123 |
| Jan 1 | @ LA Clippers | L | 101-118 |
| Dec 30 | vs. Boston Celtics | L | 119-129 |
| Dec 28 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W | 127-114 |
| Dec 26 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W | 131-129 |
| Dec 24 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | L | 128-137 |
Utah’s defense has been abysmal (128.0 PPG allowed in last 10), highlighted by a franchise-worst 55-point loss to Charlotte. Offense averages 117.3 PPG but can’t stop anyone.
Cleveland Cavaliers Last 10 Games (5-5):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Jan 10 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W | 146-134 |
| Jan 8 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L | 122-131 |
| Jan 6 | @ Indiana Pacers | W | 120-116 |
| Jan 4 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L | 110-114 |
| Jan 2 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W | 113-108 |
| Dec 30 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L | 112-118 |
| Dec 28 | vs. New York Knicks | W | 125-120 |
| Dec 26 | @ Boston Celtics | L | 115-122 |
| Dec 24 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W | 108-102 |
| Dec 22 | @ Toronto Raptors | L | 105-110 |
Cleveland’s offense exploded for 146 points in their latest win, led by Mitchell (28 PTS). Home defense is solid (105.7 PPG allowed), but ATS struggles persist.
Series History
All-Time Record: Utah leads 62-54 in 116 regular-season meetings.
Recent Matchups: Cleveland has dominated lately, winning the last 4 games (including 120-91 and 124-113 last season). The Cavs are 6-4 in the last 10 head-to-heads.
At Rocket Arena: Utah is 1-5 SU in their last 6 visits to Cleveland, with the over hitting in 6 of 7 road games vs. Cavs.
No playoff history between these franchises.
Betting Trends
Spread: Jazz are 21-16-0 ATS overall (solid as underdogs at 10-24 SU but 19-15 ATS), while Cavs are 14-26-0 ATS (poor as favorites at 20-13 SU but 12-21 ATS). Over/Under: Over has hit in 23-14 of Jazz games (6-1 in last 7 road vs. Cavs) and 23-17 in Cavs games. Models project 241.9-242 total points.
Trends to Note: Utah is 0-8 ATS vs. top-5 defenses on the road; Cavs are 14-9 at home but 7-16 ATS there. Public leaning Cavs to cover (72% of bets), but sharp money on Jazz +13.5.
Game Odds
Utah Jazz 250.5
Cleveland Cavaliers – 13.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, January 11, 2026
