Golden State @ Utah preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 10, 2018 ) Golden State 79, Utah 119

The Golden State Warriors began the defense of their latest NBA title by pushing aside the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday and will try to do the same to another playoff contender when they visit the Utah Jazz on Friday. The Jazz figure to be one of several teams vying to knock the Warriors off their perch and are also coming off an opening victory.

Golden State put on an uneven performance in the opener but there is no doubt that the team will be in the mix for a fourth NBA Championship in five seasons. "We played a solid game, nothing spectacular," star point guard Stephen Curry told reporters. "We had a lot of mistakes. ... We understand the process of building up. We have a lot of things to work on, details both offensively and defensively, but a win is a win. Got to keep it moving." Utah struggled to hold off the Sacramento Kings in a 123-117 triumph on Wednesday and expects a higher level of performance from itself. "It's not just about knowing how to win in crunch time," Jazz coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "It's about knowing how to have the consistency throughout the game to put yourself in good position. It's a good win, because it's a road win against a team that played very well. And I think our guys want and expect more of themselves."

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, NBCS Bay Area (Golden State), AT&T Sportsnet Rocky Mountain (Utah)

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (1-0): Curry led the way with 32 points, nine assists and eight rebounds while going 5-of-9 from 3-point range in the opener to help overcome a poor shooting night from fellow "splash brother" Klay Thompson. Thompson struggled to 5-of-20 from the floor, including 1-of-8 from beyond the arc in 35 minutes. Kevin Durant, who, like Thompson, could become a free agent after the season, missed all five of his 3-point attempts in the opener but finished with 27 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

ABOUT THE JAZZ (1-0): Utah prides itself on its work on the defensive end but allowed the Kings to shoot 51.6 percent from the floor on Wednesday while forcing only nine turnovers. The Jazz were able to overcome the deficiencies on the defensive end thanks to the offensive performances of Donovan Mitchell and Joe Ingles, who combined to go 7-of-16 from 3-point range. Utah also got a big performance from center Rudy Gobert, who collected 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting and 15 rebounds while blocking three shots.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Warriors SF Andre Iguodala (calf) left Tuesday's game and is questionable for Friday.

2. Jazz SF Thabo Sefolosha will serve the second of a five-game suspension for violating the NBA/NBAPA anti-drug program.

3. Utah took three of the four meetings last season, including both at home.

PREDICTION: Jazz 109, Warriors 105