Utah @ Golden State preview

Last Meeting ( May 8, 2017 ) Golden State 121, Utah 95

The Golden State Warriors own the best record in the NBA and are fresh off delivering a reminder of their status. Golden State posted a 99-92 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the highly anticipated Christmas Day showdown and has won 12 of its last 13 games.

The Warriors are rolling despite the absence of star point guard Stephen Curry (ankle) and got the better of Cleveland in the pairing of the teams that have met in three consecutive NBA Finals. Power forward Draymond Green complemented his superb defense with 12 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists against Cleveland to match the franchise record of 20 career triple-doubles set by Hall of Famer Tom Gola. Utah was pounded 107-83 by the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday for its ninth loss in the last 11 games in addition to dropping its road mark to 3-14. "We have to be better in every facet of the game," Jazz coach Quin Snyder said after his team shot 32.1 percent from the field Monday. "Obviously, we didn't shoot well. When we don't shoot well, we have to be even more determined defensively. Our resolve on defense has to improve."

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NBATV, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah), NBCSN Bay Area (Golden State)

ABOUT THE JAZZ (15-20): Utah lacked intensity and scored only 34 first-half points against Denver in a sour performance that frustrated shooting guard Rodney Hood. "We haven't been in the gym really in the past couple days," Hood told reporters after the loss. "(Monday) was a good day; we needed that day to be with our family but we've just got to get back in the swing of things and I think we'll play better (Wednesday)." Hood was one of the poor shooters versus Denver with 10 points on a 4-of-17 effort and impressive rookie guard Donovan Mitchell was limited to 13 points after scoring 29 on 12-of-16 shooting against Oklahoma City three nights earlier.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (27-7): Curry has missed the past nine games but the club announced Tuesday that his sprained right ankle will be re-evaluated Friday. "After participating in one modified on-court scrimmage session late last week, the goal moving forward will be to build his tolerance by increasing his on-court practice demands and intensity," the Warriors said of Curry in a statement. Star forward Kevin Durant has topped 30 points five times during Curry's absence and he has failed to reach the 20-point mark only three times in 29 games played.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Warriors have won 13 of the past 15 regular-season meetings.

2. Utah PG Ricky Rubio (8-of-33) and backup SG Alec Burks (8-of-27) are shooting poorly over the past four games.

3. Golden State SG Klay Thompson was 4-of-7 from 3-point range against Cleveland after being 3-of-19 over the previous two games.

PREDICTION: Warriors 123, Jazz 96