PREVIEW: The Cleveland Cavaliers will host the Utah Jazz on January 12, 2026, featuring two of the NBA's premier scorers in Donovan Mitchell and Lauri Markkanen. The Cavaliers have been performing exceptionally well, winning five of their last seven games , while the Jazz have struggled mightily, losing ten of their last thirteen contests. Cleveland owns a commanding head-to-head advantage, having won four straight matchups and six of the last ten meetings between these teams. Mitchell averages 29.8 points per game, fourth in the league, while Markkanen contributes 27.9 points per contest, ranking tenth. The Cavaliers rank third in scoring with 120 points per game, while the Jazz manage 119 points, a matchup that could produce an offensive showcase. Utah's defensive vulnerabilities represent a significant concern, as the team ranks last in the league in defense, allowing 127.3 points per game after their recent blowout loss to Charlotte. The Cavaliers enter as substantial favorites, with oddsmakers favoring them by 12.5 points in this contest. Cleveland's offensive efficiency shines through their league-leading second-half scoring at 61.8 points and second-ranked field goal attempts at 92.2 per game.