Jazz's home opener Dec. 30 against Philadelphia

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The Utah Jazz will open the NBA's abbreviated 66-game season on Dec. 27 in Los Angeles against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.Utah's home opener at EnergySolutions Arena will be played Friday, Dec. 30 against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Salt Lake Tribune learned Monday.Another high-profile game comes Jan. 14, when the Jazz play host to their former All-Star, Deron Williams, and the New Jersey Nets.The NBA's entire schedule will be announced Tuesday at 5 p.m. MST. It is known that the lockout-shortened season opens with five games on Christmas Day.Once the Jazz start playing on the 27th, they will be busy.Utah is scheduled to play four games in the first five nights — and six games in the first eight nights — starting with its opener against the Lakers at Staples Center.For L.A., the game will be its third in three nights, according to a story Monday in the Los Angeles Times.— Steve Luhm