"After the team's comeback win against Portland on Monday, Earl Watson enthusiastically spoke about the Utah Jazz's upcoming week.

The Jazz were coming off an emotional and "epic" victory, which boosted their record to an unexpectedly good 12-7.

Spirits were soaring.

Smiles lit up faces in the locker room.

With the Jazz on the precipice of making a major move and statement in the Western Conference playoff race, Watson said the week was full of "amazing opportunities."

The NBA's injury gods must have taken that as a personal challenge.

Considering how the week has transpired — losing two straight games and point guards — it might be considered amazing if the Jazz simply manage to pull off a .500 record for their four-game schedule.

To do that, Utah will have to do something tonight with a shorthanded squad that it wasn't able to do at full strength a few weeks ago — beat the Los Angeles Lakers at home.

Because of their injury situation, it's unknown exactly who will be available to go for the Jazz, who hope to avoid both their first three-game losing streak and falling to Kobe Bryant & Co. for a second time at home this season."