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SteemSports presents the Toronto Raptors Vs the Utah Jazz.

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Game Preview

We are in for a treat tonight folks – some real competition for the Toronto Raptors. The Jazz are coming off a tough loss to the Warriors. The Raptors are coming into Salt Lake City one game out of first place. Tonight’s game will be challenging for both sides – it’s anybody’s basketball game.

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Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors are on fire this season. They beat the Nets last night 116-104 at the ACC in Toronto. They are now in Salt Lake City waiting to take on a formidable opponent in the Jazz. The Raptors have dominated the Jazz over the last three seasons. They only meet a few times a season but the Jazz beat the Raptors Nov 18, 2015 – their last win before that was Dec 7, 2012. History seems to be on the side of the Raptors. Lowry and DeRozan are continuing their red-hot play – JV has been consistent – this team is destined for the playoffs. The only question is – Can they eventually beat the Cavaliers?

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Key Player: Kyle Lowry

Kyle Lowry was drafted by the Grizzlies 24th overall in the 2006 NBA draft. He is a two time NBA all-star. The Raptors acquired him from the Houston Rockets in 2012. He has been instrumental to the Raptors organization – leading them to a division title as well as pushing the team to the Eastern Conference finals last year. For the last 2 seasons Lowry has really upped his game – averaging over 21 points per game – and this season shooting .453 for 3P%.

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Utah Jazz

The Jazz lost to the Warriors yesterday by an embarrassing 30 points. That’s not to say the Jazz are a terrible team – they are 18-11 which puts them in fifth place. The Warriors are 25-4 – you can’t fault any team for losing to them. The key to beating the Jazz is to get to their three leaders. Gordon Hayward leads the team with 21.7 points. Rody Gobert has 11.8 rebounds and has a 69.9% field goal percent. Raul Neto is shooting 100% from the free throw line. These three guys have to have season high nights in order to beat the Raptors. This team has the ability to win – beating the Raptors would be a huge confidence boost for them.

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Key Player: Gordon Hayward

Gordon Hayward was drafted by the Utah Jazz – ninth overall in the 2010 NBA draft. Hayward has improved as the years have one on – averaging 5.4 pts in his first season – to around 20 pts for the last 3 seasons. This season he is averaging 35.1 minutes per game and 21pts. He also is getting twice as many free throws than he has in his career. His free throw percentage is up to .868 from a career .819. Hayward is a career Jazz player and an integral member of their team.

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Odds

Toronto Raptors(fav)	Utah Jazz
ML -119	ML +103

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Presenter: @rgeddes

"Entrepreneur and sports fan from Toronto Canada"

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Editor: @cryptoiskey

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December 23rd, 9PM/6PM ETPT

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