PREVIEW: The Toronto Raptors travel to Salt Lake City to face the Utah Jazz in non-conference action , with the visitors looking to build on their recent turnaround. After finishing 30-52 last season, Toronto has climbed to 39-30 , establishing themselves as a legitimate playoff threat in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors bring elite rim attacking efficiency ranked second overall, paired with strong passing ability also ranked second , creating a dynamic offensive profile that keeps opponents on their heels. However, Toronto's perimeter defense remains a significant vulnerability, ranking 25th in defending three-point shooting and 25th against attacks at the rim , which could be exposed against any hot-shooting team. The Jazz have dropped five of their last six games and sit at 21-50, placing them second from the bottom in the Western Conference. Utah rookie Ace Bailey has emerged as a bright spot, recently posting a career-high 33 points while showcasing an improving jumper and defensive skills. Despite showing quick tempo ranked fourth in the league, the Jazz struggle significantly with offensive execution, ranking 27th in three-point efficiency and 30th in transition play. Utah will be severely undermanned for this matchup, with Isaiah Collier, Keyonte George, Jaren Jackson Jr., Walker Kessler, Lauri Markkanen, and Jusuf Nurkic all unavailable due to injury.