OAKLAND, CA – MARCH 25: David Stockton #5 of the Utah Jazz high fives teammates during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 25, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Utah Jazz face a trio of meaningful games with just eight left in the regular season as they head into Week 24 of NBA action.
Last week didn’t exactly go as Utah Jazz fans had planned. Instead of keeping the nine-game win streak alive by adding a tenth victory, the Jazz instead fell in disappointing fashion to the hapless Atlanta Hawks. They were able to bounce back just fine in the subsequent game against the Dallas Mavericks before falling in heartbreak fashion to the San Antonio Spurs a day later.
The Jazz then went on to close the week with an easy victory over the Golden State Warriors who were playing without their four stars – Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green – who were all dealing with injury or illness. Fortunately, Utah’s 2-2 performance was still good enough to keep them in seventh place in the West heading into this week thanks to a surprising Minnesota Timberwolves loss to the Memphis Grizzlies last night.
And while the loss to Atlanta came as a surprise to me and pretty much everyone, I had actually predicted last week that Utah would fall to San Antonio, meaning that while Utah finished .500 for the week, I managed to go a slightly better 3-1 in my projections. That elevated my season-long record to 41-33 while the Jazz settled at 42-32.
And now with just eight games remaining in the regular season, every contest is extremely vital as the Jazz look to climb as high as they possibly can in the Western Conference standings prior to the start of postseason. Utah faces a tough trio of games in the week ahead, so they’ll need to play much more like they did during their recent nine-game win streak than how they did in a 2-2 stretch last week.
They’ll start out the week on Wednesday against the Boston Celtics, who much like the Golden State Warriors, are looking pretty beat up right now with injuries to the likes of Kyrie Irving and Marcus Smart. Then they’ll take on the Memphis Grizzlies, who have been pretty awful of late, but their two latest wins have come against the Wolves and Denver Nuggets, so the Jazz will have to be cautious.
Last of all, they’ll conclude Week 24 with the most daunting and probably the most important game of the week as they’ll hit the road to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. These two teams are currently neck and neck in the standings, and there was some clear bad blood between the two of them in the previous contest which could lead to a heated and intense battle on Sunday.
None of these three games is a ‘gimme’ and each one will be necessary if the Jazz are to stay ahead of Minnesota (as well as the teams trying to work their way back into the playoff mix) in the standings and potentially surge even higher. Let’s take a closer look at how the Jazz ought to fare in each of these three crucial bouts.
Utah Jazz </a>fans had planned. Instead of keeping the nine-game win streak alive by adding a tenth victory, the Jazz instead fell in disappointing fashion to the hapless Atlanta Hawks. They were able to bounce back just fine in the subsequent game against the Dallas Mavericks before falling in heartbreak fashion to the San Antonio Spurs a day later.</p>
<p>The Jazz then went on to close the week with an easy victory over the Golden State Warriors who were playing without their four stars – <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/curryst01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Stephen Curry</a>, <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kevin Durant</a>, <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/thompkl01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Klay Thompson</a> and <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/greendr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Draymond Green</a> – who were all dealing with injury or illness. Fortunately, Utah’s 2-2 performance was still good enough to keep them in seventh place in the West heading into this week thanks to a surprising Minnesota Timberwolves loss to the Memphis Grizzlies last night.</p>
<p>And while the loss to Atlanta came as a surprise to me and pretty much everyone, I had actually <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/18/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-23-outlook-predictions/">predicted last week</a> that Utah would fall to San Antonio, meaning that while Utah finished .500 for the week, I managed to go a slightly better 3-1 in my projections. That elevated my season-long record to 41-33 while the Jazz settled at 42-32.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Utah Jazz 2017-18 Week 23 Outlook, Predictions <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://t.co/eby4Zae2Zm">https://t.co/eby4Zae2Zm <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://t.co/wrNTfvnHhp">pic.twitter.com/wrNTfvnHhp
<p>— The J-Notes (@TheJNotes) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://twitter.com/TheJNotes/status/975422273090764800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>March 18, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>And now with just eight games remaining in the regular season, every contest is extremely vital as the Jazz look to climb as high as they possibly can in the Western Conference standings prior to the start of postseason. Utah faces a tough trio of games in the week ahead, so they’ll need to play much more like they did during their recent nine-game win streak than how they did in a 2-2 stretch last week.</p>
<p>They’ll start out the week on Wednesday against the Boston Celtics, who much like the Golden State Warriors, are looking pretty beat up right now with injuries to the likes of <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/irvinky01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kyrie Irving</a> and <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/smartma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Marcus Smart</a>. Then they’ll take on the Memphis Grizzlies, who have been pretty awful of late, but their two latest wins have come against the Wolves and Denver Nuggets, so the Jazz will have to be cautious.</p>
<p>Last of all, they’ll conclude Week 24 with the most daunting and probably the most important game of the week as they’ll hit the road to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. These two teams are currently neck and neck in the standings, and there was some clear bad blood between the two of them in the previous contest which could lead to a heated and intense battle on Sunday.</p>
<p>None of these three games is a ‘gimme’ and each one will be necessary if the Jazz are to stay ahead of Minnesota (as well as the teams trying to work their way back into the playoff mix) in the standings and potentially surge even higher. Let’s take a closer look at how the Jazz ought to fare in each of these three crucial bouts.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 3/28 vs. Boston </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-67773" src=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F03%2F938482370-boston-celtics-v-phoenix-suns.jpg-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 26: Abdel Nader #28 and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics shake hands during the game against the Phoenix Suns on March 26, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>3/28 Utah vs. Boston</h3>
<p><strong>7:30 pm MT – ESPN</strong></p>
<p><strong>Opponent record: 51-23</strong></p>
<p><strong>Season series: Jazz lead 1-0</strong></p>
<p>Although this contest won’t be quite as exciting as originally presumed heading into the 2017-18 season due to the season-ending injury that <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/haywago01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Gordon Hayward</a> suffered in the season opener, this is still a big one for the Jazz. With or without Hayward suiting up for the opposition, his former teammates are certainly going to want to prove that they’re capable of toppling the team that he spurned them to join.</p>
<p>The Jazz were able to do just that in the previous meeting as they defeated the C’s in surprising fashion by a score of 107-95 in Boston during what had otherwise been a discouraging month of December. <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rubiori01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Ricky Rubio</a> had a big game that allowed he and his teammates to overcome a 33-point outpouring from Kyrie Irving to earn an incredible win over a healthy (with the exception of Hayward, of course) Boston team.</p>
<p>Utah was able to come out on top thanks largely to their scorching accuracy which saw them go 40-of-83 (48.2 percent) from the field and an even more impressive 13-of-25 (52 percent) from deep. The Jazz also killed the Celtics on the boards by a count of 55-31.</p>
<p>Hypothetically, the Jazz should have an easier time toppling the Celtics in Wednesday’s showdown, not only because it will be played within the friendly confines of Vivint Smart Home Arena, but also because the Celtics continue to deal with injuries to Kyrie Irving (knee), Marcus Smart (thumb) and <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/theisda01.html" ref="nofollow">Daniel Thies</a> (knee), not to mention Hayward who has of course been out the entire season.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This Just In: Kyrie Irving is expected to miss three to six weeks after undergoing surgery Saturday on his injured left knee. <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://t.co/mNCgYF3IBk">pic.twitter.com/mNCgYF3IBk
<p>— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/977629604096761856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>March 24, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Nevertheless, even with their injury woes, which have included a number of other players who have only recently returned to the lineup, the Celtics have still played exceptionally well of late. They’ve won four straight which have included victories over the Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Guys like <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/brownja02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jaylen Brown</a>, <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/tatumja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jayson Tatum</a>, <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/roziete01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Terry Rozier</a> and of course All-Star <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/horfoal01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Al Horford</a> have all stepped up in big ways to help their team continue to succeed.</p>
<p>Therefore, the Jazz will have to bring their A-game and play at an absolutely high level if they are to win. This game could very well be a battle and is by no stretch of the imagination going to be an easy win for the Jazz even with Kyrie Irving out of commission. If they play lackluster ball as they did in their last home bout against Atlanta, there’s no question that they will fall short.</p>
<p>Fortunately, I don’t see that happening. The Jazz looked refocused in their wins over Golden State and Dallas, and truly played well against San Antonio as well despite the outcome. Along with fighting for playoff positioning, the Jazz have extra incentive to win this game as they continue to have a chip on their shoulder in regards to the Celtics stealing away their former All-Star teammate.</p>
<p>Add all that up and I think we’ll see a focused and determined Jazz squad that will be able to overcome a far less than healthy Celtics team.</p>
<p><strong>My Prediction: Jazz Win</strong></p>
<p><strong>Final Score: Utah 103, Boston 101</strong></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 3/30 vs. Memphis </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-67774" src=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F03%2F936043702-memphis-grizzlies-v-philadelphia-76ers.jpg-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 21: JaMychal Green #0 Marc Gasol #33 and Jarell Martin #1 of the Memphis Grizzlies look on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 21, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>3/30 Utah vs. Memphis</h3>
<p><strong>7:00 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/League Pass</strong></p>
<p><strong>Opponent record: 20-54</strong></p>
<p><strong>Season series: Jazz lead 2-0</strong></p>
<p>The Jazz are currently undefeated against the Memphis Grizzlies this season, but neither victory came particularly easy. In both contests, Memphis was allowed to hang around to some degree before Utah took control. The Jazz did much better in the most recent contest as they used a big second quarter to jump way ahead and hold onto it for good, but the pesky Grizzlies still can be somewhat troubling.</p>
<p>And although they’ve lost eight of their last ten and recently suffered a 61-point blowout at the hands of the mediocre Charlotte Hornets, they’ve also earned some impressive wins of late including over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday and the Denver Nuggets 10 days ago. Both of those results helped the Jazz out immensely, but hopefully the Grizz won’t choose to play spoiler for a third time against a Northwest Division foe on Friday.</p>
<p>They have definitely seemed to pick and choose when they’re going to show up and compete of late, and if Friday’s bout in Utah is one of those random dates, it could result in a disappointing loss for the Jazz for the second week in a row.</p>
<div class="embed "><iframe loading="lazy" width="500" height="281" src=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/VRvgOV6jYL4?feature=oembed%22 frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>Luckily, the Jazz played a very good game against the Grizzlies last time around once all was said and done, shooting 40.6 percent from three and out-rebounding Memphis 48-39. They certainly seemed to fix their woes from the first contest against the Grizzlies in the second half of last game, so if that play carries over, Utah should easily log a win over a dismal Memphis team, especially on their home court.</p>
<p>As <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gasolma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Marc Gasol</a> proved in last night’s win over Minnesota in which he logged 20 points and 10 rebounds, he’s still very much a threat that the Jazz will need to contain. Not only that, but the inexperienced Grizzles have several hungry and scrappy young players that can also be dangerous opponents.</p>
<p>Still, with how much is at stake and considering that Utah just barely had a fluke loss to the Hawks last week, I think the Jazz will put it together against the Grizzlies and come out on top to earn a second straight victory for the week.</p>
<p><strong>My Prediction: Jazz Win</strong></p>
<p><strong>Final Score: Utah 92, Memphis 81</strong></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 4/1 at Minnesota </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-67775" src=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F03%2F936685498-houston-rockets-v-minnesota-timberwolves.jpg-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 18: Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves passes the ball against the Houston Rockets during the game on March 18, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>4/1 Utah at Minnesota</h3>
<p><strong>5:00 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/League Pass</strong></p>
<p><strong>Opponent record: 42-33</strong></p>
<p><strong>Season series: Timberwolves lead 2-1</strong></p>
<p>Since losing <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/butleji01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jimmy Butler</a> to injury, the Minnesota Timberwolves have had their fair share of struggles. They’ve gone just 6-7 during that stretch, and while they’ve played some tough foes in those 13 games, their most recent loss to the Memphis Grizzlies was a perfect example of how lost they have appeared at times without their best player.</p>
<p>One of the losses during that span was to the Utah Jazz themselves as they pulled out a hard-fought 116-108 victory that was far from pretty at times. Not only was <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/townska01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Karl-Anthony Towns</a> ejected from the game after receiving a pair of technical fouls and <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/teaguje01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jeff Teague</a> later tossed for an absolute cheap shot on Ricky Rubio, but the Jazz shot just 31 percent from deep while allowing the Wolves to shoot 52.9 percent and Utah also gave up 18 turnovers.</p>
<p>They let the Timberwolves hang around all game long and very well may have lost had Towns and Teague stayed in the game. Luckily, Utah dominated the glass, specifically on the offensive end with an 11-2 edge, and were able to come out on top.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jeff Teague gets ejected after hip-checking Ricky Rubio. <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://t.co/m2zEWP9oZM">pic.twitter.com/m2zEWP9oZM
<p>— Felipo (@Philip0Turner) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://twitter.com/Philip0Turner/status/970228442045321216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>March 4, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>However, Minnesota’s backcourt of Jeff Teague and <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/27/utah-jazz-2017-18-week-24-outlook-predictions/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/wiggian01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Andrew Wiggins</a> was absolutely a problem in that game. Teague put up 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field and an astounding 5-of-8 from deep while Wiggins managed 27 points on 10-of-19 shooting. If those guys have a repeat performance and Towns has even an average game, it’s quite likely that the Jazz will fall on the road to the Wolves.</p>
<p>That could very well happen and I’m hesitant to let my optimism, which is known for jinxing the Jazz, have too much run here. Nevertheless, I’m feeling good about Utah’s chances. Minnesota’s starters have been run ragged by head coach Tom Thibodeau and especially without Jimmy Butler in action, their defense has suffered even more than usual while their bench has had a continued minimal impact.</p>
<p>Utah’s defense, meanwhile, should hypothetically be up to the task of stopping the Timberwolves, despite the solid players they boast in the likes of Towns, Wiggins and Teague, to name a few. If it is, then I project that the Wolves’ lackluster D will allow the Jazz to find their shot and they’ll in turn find a way to arise victorious in an extremely important bout.</p>
<p>The Jazz will know what’s at stake going into this contest and I expect them to play accordingly. They certainly have the momentum advantage over a struggling Minnesota team that has dropped to eighth place in the West, so if they can capitalize on that and take energy and focus with them on the road, it will help to increase their chances significantly.</p>
<p><strong>My Prediction: Jazz Win</strong></p>
<p><strong>Final Score: Utah 105, Minnesota 98</strong></p>
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