Kyrie Irving is finally back, but can he and the Nets move past the rampaging Jazz?

HOME TEAM: Brooklyn Nets (18-20, 11-8 at home)

The Brooklyn Nets have now won back-to-back games after suffering seven-straight losses. They also have their star point guard back as Kyrie Irving returned to the hardwood Monday against the Atlanta Hawks. He scored 21 points on an impressive 10-for-11 shooting in just 21 minutes of play to help the Nets earn a 108-86 victory.

Irving’s return should provide a boost to the team’s on-court energy. The multiple-time All-Star is a dangerous threat anywhere in the floor and is easily one of the most skilled scorers today. He may continue receiving limited minutes, but the solid production should be there regardless. He’s posting 27.9 points and 6.8 assists per game this season.

The Nets lost to the Utah Jazz in their meeting last November 13th, 119-114. Six Nets scored in double-figures, including Irving, who had a team-high 27, Spencer Dinwiddie, who chipped in 21 off the bench, and DeAndre Jordan, who, while also coming from the second unit, posted a 15-17 double-double.

ROAD TEAM: Utah Jazz (27-12, 12-9 on the road)

The Jazz are the hottest team in the league right now. They are winners of nine-straight games and in 14 of their last 15, all while shooting 50.1% from the floor and bombing away 14 threes per game during that span.

As mentioned, the Jazz were triumphant in their previous encounter with the Nets. Donovan Mitchell (30 points) and Rudy Gobert (18 pts, 15 rebs, 2 stls, 2 blks) powered the Jazz in that victory.

Mitchell, however, missed Monday’s game due to an illness and is still listed as day-to-day. Should he be able to suit up, he’ll be bringing in 24.2 PPG. Backcourt partner Mike Conley (hamstring) is still out.

Next to Mitchell and Gobert in the hierarchy are Bojan Bogdanovic and Jordan Clarkson. Two streaky players than can suddenly go on a scoring tear. Bogdanovic is second in team scoring at 21 PPG (two 30-point games in his last three), while Clarkson has back-to-back 20-point nights.

PREDICTION:

This will come down to Mitchell’s availability. If he sits out, I expect the Nets to win, 108-100, but if he plays, I see the Jazz taking it in a higher scoring affair, 119-113.