Stephen Nover's Friday Crusher
(NBA) Utah vs. Philadelphia,
Point Spread: -7.00 | -104.00 Utah (Away)
Result: Win
Utah closed as one of the hotter teams in the NBA last season going 21-11. The Jazz were the strongest defensive club in the league down that stretch.

The Jazz's priority is to start fast this season. That didn't work out in their first game, a 92-87 road loss to Detroit. Utah plays again on the road in their next game. All together, the Jazz open with a brutal slate of eight of 10 road matchups.

So this game has high priority for Utah. The 76ers, on the other hand, have a different priority. They have a young, short-handed roster - only nine healthy players and an extremely weak bench - and are in rebuilt mode again playing for the future. It was not a surprise the Celtics blew out Philadelphia two nights ago.

The 76ers could have the worst offense in the league. It's a big concern of their coach, Brett Brown. Utah has won the last five in this series, holding the 76ers to an average of 77 points on 34.6 percent shooting in last season's two victories.