Jazz Roll Out Emergency Starting Five Against Mavericks

According to Underdog NBA, the Utah Jazz are rolling out a starting five that sounds less like an NBA rotation and more like a randomly generated 2K roster. Keyonte George, Tristan Peterson, Amari Bailey, Lauri Markkanen, and Jaxson Hayes are getting the nod for Friday's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks.

Utah is currently riding a three-game losing streak, dropping ugly games to the Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, and New Orleans Pelicans. They just gave up 120 points to the Pelicans, so shaking things up is less of a strategic masterstroke and more of a desperate plea for someone to play defense.

"Social media reactions noted the Jazz are in 'emergency rota mode' with Jaxson Hayes stepping into the starting five alongside unproven talent."

If you are staring at the prop markets, Keyonte George is the guy keeping the lights on in Salt Lake City right now. He is averaging 22 points and nearly six assists a night, while Markkanen is chipping in a modest 16 points and five boards.

Throwing Jaxson Hayes into the starting five alongside Peterson and Bailey screams emergency rotation mode. It is the kind of lineup you throw out there when the front office is already looking at draft lottery odds in November.

The Jazz have to survive Dallas on Friday before heading out to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. If this five-man unit cannot find a way to generate stops, Utah is going to be staring down a five-game skid before the season even has time to settle.