Chicago • The last time the Jazz faced the Chicago Bulls, Utah ran away with a blowout win at Vivint Smart Home Arena. It was the start of six consecutive victories for the Jazz and the Bulls appeared to be reeling.
On Wednesday morning, Utah coach Quin Snyder was forceful in instructing everyone involved — including media — to throw that game out when the two teams meet again Wednesday night at the United Center.
“The Bulls are a different team,” Snyder said. “They were playing a back-to-back and in a lot of ways we caught them at the right time. They’re playing extremely well right now. It’s going to be a tough game.”
Jazz at Bulls<br>When • Wednesday, 6 p.m.<br>TV • ATTSN
Indeed, the Bulls are playing their best basketball, having won three straight. And walking into the United Center and walking out with a win hasn’t traditionally been easy for the Jazz.
But Wednesday will bring help in the form of Rodney Hood, who will be back after missing a chunk of games due to ankle and achilles soreness, as first reported by The Salt Lake Tribune.
Hood will be under a minutes restriction, but the important thing is he’s another scoring option for the Jazz.
“It feels great to be back,” Hood said. “It’s about time to get out there and be with the guys. So I’m glad to be back.”
Utah may also get Joe Johnson back for the first time since very early in the season. Johnson went through shootaround and was shooting comfortably in one-on-one drills. The Jazz have sorely missed his scoring and play-making off the bench.
The Jazz are 13-14 this season, and currently sit in the eighth spot in the Western Conference. The Bulls are 6-20, but have won three straight games.
Chicago expects to regain the services of rookie forward Lauri Markkanen Wednesday. He missed Monday’s win over the Boston Celtics with back spasms. The Jazz will be missing point guard Raul Neto, who suffered a concussion in Saturday’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
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