Jazz, losers of eight straight, host Heat without Keyonte George

Utah (1-9), losers of eight straight and without Keyonte George, hosts Miami (4-6) on Tuesday night at 9 p.m. ET in a game that turns on the Jazz's offense against the Heat's leaky defense.

Both units struggle. Utah scores 102.2 points per 100 possessions, 29th in the league, and its effective field goal percentage of 49.5 ranks 28th.

Miami's defense gives that offense room. Opponents post a 58.0 effective field goal percentage against the Heat, second-worst in the league, so a cold Jazz lineup should find cleaner looks than usual.

Turnovers could decide the rest. The Jazz give it away on 14.6% of possessions, 26th, while Miami forces turnovers at the eighth-best rate and plays at the third-fastest pace, 104.1.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, listed as probable, averages 27.5 points and 12.7 rebounds. Utah sends opponents to the line more often than all but one team, which helps Antetokounmpo, though he makes 62.2% of his free throws.

Davion Mitchell runs the Miami offense with 8.4 assists a game. Bam Adebayo averages 2.1 steals, and Utah's loose handle gives him targets.

Utah is missing much of its production. George, the leading scorer at 21.1 points and top passer at 6.4 assists, is out. Lauri Markkanen, the leading rebounder at 6.8 a game, is questionable.

The frontcourt is thinner still. Jaren Jackson Jr. is out until Monday, December 14, at the earliest, and Jusuf Nurkic until Friday, November 20. Kobe Bufkin, Harrison Ingram and Trey Alexander are also out.

Jaxson Hayes, who blocks 1.8 shots a game, is the rim protector left. Darryn Peterson adds 1.2 steals.

Miami comes off a 114-108 win at Sacramento. On the same trip it beat the LA Clippers 117-116 and lost to the Lakers 138-117. Utah's last game was a 112-90 home loss to Portland.

Sportsbooks' prices give Miami a 76% chance to win. Our projection has the Heat at 74% and favored by 6.2 points.