I think it’s safe to say that the Utah Jazz are on a roll.
Winners of 11 of the last 13, the Jazz have skyrocketed up the standings all the way to fifth in the Western Conference. That hot streak has included recent wins over tough Western Conference foes such as the Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies.
And with these big wins, the Jazz are continuing to solidify themselves more and more as a true playoff team and threat in the West. Sitting at an 18-10 record currently, the Jazz now find themselves only two games out of fourth place and they still aren’t even fully healthy. For comparison, it’s amazing to think that last season through the first 28 games, the Jazz were a disappointing 12-16.
My what a difference a year makes.
As we get set to head into the ninth week of NBA action, the Jazz will look to continue their hot streak through a three-game slate. However, this week features a couple of opponents who will provide an even tougher challenge than what Utah faced last week as they’ll visit Oracle Arena, the home of the Warriors, on Tuesday then welcome the second best team in the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Raptors, into Salt Lake on Friday.
In between those games they’ll take on the Sacramento Kings who Utah breezed past in their first meeting.
But while the Jazz went 3-0 in impressive fashion this past week, they’ll be hard pressed to do that for a second consecutive time.
The Jazz have undoubtedly proven themselves as a tough opponent for any team in the league, but a solid week in this upcoming slate would prove them as much more than that.
pic.twitter.com/PlNbHmwVtz
<p>— NBA Math (@NBA_Math) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/12/18/utah-jazz-week-nine-outlook-predictions/"https://twitter.com/NBA_Math/status/810177728926412800">December 17, 2016</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>As we get set to head into the ninth week of NBA action, the Jazz will look to continue their hot streak through a three-game slate. However, this week features a couple of opponents who will provide an even tougher challenge than what Utah faced last week as they’ll visit Oracle Arena, the home of the Warriors, on Tuesday then welcome the second best team in the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Raptors, into Salt Lake on Friday.</p>
<p>In between those games they’ll take on the Sacramento Kings who Utah breezed past in their first meeting.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">JAZZ WIN! <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/12/18/utah-jazz-week-nine-outlook-predictions/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/SACatUTA?src=hash%22>#SACatUTA</a> <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/12/18/utah-jazz-week-nine-outlook-predictions/"https://t.co/IV08OgIKPo">pic.twitter.com/IV08OgIKPo
<p>— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/12/18/utah-jazz-week-nine-outlook-predictions/"https://twitter.com/utahjazz/status/807801566711451648">December 11, 2016</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>But while the Jazz went 3-0 in impressive fashion this past week, they’ll be hard pressed to do that for a second consecutive time.</p>
<p>In fact, <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/12/18/utah-jazz-week-nine-outlook-predictions/"https://thejnotes.com/2016/12/11/utah-jazz-week-eight-outlook-predictions/">I had actually pinned them as going 2-1 last week</a>, bringing my prediction record for the season to an even 14-14 (though <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/12/18/utah-jazz-week-nine-outlook-predictions/"https://thejnotes.com/2016/12/18/utah-jazz-at-memphis-grizzlies-keys-to-the-game/">I did later change my prediction for the Grizzlies game prior to that contest</a> after seeing how well Utah played throughout the week), so while last week’s success was impressive, a 3-0 week this time around would be even more surprising.</p>
<p>The Jazz have undoubtedly proven themselves as a tough opponent for any team in the league, but a solid week in this upcoming slate would prove them as much more than that.</p>
<p>They’ll still likely be without <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/12/18/utah-jazz-week-nine-outlook-predictions/"https://thejnotes.com/?s=george+hill%22>George Hill</a> and <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/12/18/utah-jazz-week-nine-outlook-predictions/"https://thejnotes.com/?s=alec+burks%22>Alec Burks</a> for a while longer yet, so it’s still hard to fully assess this Jazz team. Nevertheless, if they can keep up their stifling D, continue to close out games well and get incredible performances out of <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/12/18/utah-jazz-week-nine-outlook-predictions/"https://thejnotes.com/?s=rudy+gobert%22>Rudy Gobert</a> like they have been, Utah could very well take another leap forward in the standings with an incredible ninth week of action.</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/2016/12/18/utah-jazz-week-nine-outlook-predictions/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 12/20 Utah at Golden State </a>
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<a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/12/18/utah-jazz-week-nine-outlook-predictions/"https://thejnotes.com/files/2016/12/9733385-joe-johnson-stephen-curry-nba-golden-state-warriors-utah-jazz.jpg">
#TakeNote</a> GSWatUTA <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/12/18/utah-jazz-week-nine-outlook-predictions/"https://t.co/WjCUYnBuFD">pic.twitter.com/WjCUYnBuFD
<p>— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/12/18/utah-jazz-week-nine-outlook-predictions/"https://twitter.com/utahjazz/status/807079670269218816">December 9, 2016</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>While they likely still won’t be full-strength in Tuesday’s rematch, the Jazz will be the beneficiaries of a big boost with the likes of Gordon Hayward, Rodney Hood and Derrick Favors all back in action.</p>
<p>While it was <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/12/18/utah-jazz-week-nine-outlook-predictions/"https://thejnotes.com/?s=joe+ingles%22>Joe Ingles</a> who shined the most in that contest, Rudy Gobert was also solid and has been the Jazz’s most consistent and dominant force over the last two weeks. Against the Warriors, Gobert put in 20 points and 17 rebounds and with the Warriors lacking in frontcourt size, his performance will likely be the deciding factor in whether the Jazz are able to steal a win or not.</p>
<p>While Utah showed that they are capable of competing against the Warriors even with the chips against them and could very well put up another close contest on Tuesday, I have a hard time seeing the Jazz going into Oracle and stealing a win from such a tough Warriors team, especially without George Hill in action.</p>
<p>Thus I’m going to give Golden State a slight edge in this one, especially on their home court, but with the Jazz bringing a lot more firepower to this fight, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them be even more competitive this time around.</p>
<p><strong>My Prediction: Warriors Win</strong></p>
<p><strong>Final Score: Golden State 112, Utah 106</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/2016/12/18/utah-jazz-week-nine-outlook-predictions/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 12/21 Utah vs. Sacramento </a>
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<a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/12/18/utah-jazz-week-nine-outlook-predictions/"https://thejnotes.com/files/2016/12/9738804-shelvin-mack-ty-lawson-nba-sacramento-kings-utah-jazz.jpg">
@rudygobert27 is shooting 81% (47/58) & forcing opposing centers to shoot a mere 41% (34/81). 💪🖐<a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/12/18/utah-jazz-week-nine-outlook-predictions/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/TakeNote?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#TakeNote</a> <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/12/18/utah-jazz-week-nine-outlook-predictions/"https://t.co/aaNxxiaV9q">pic.twitter.com/aaNxxiaV9q
<p>— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/12/18/utah-jazz-week-nine-outlook-predictions/"https://twitter.com/utahjazz/status/810710936558432256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>December 19, 2016</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>The Kings continue to be a confusing squad that despite posting the rare impressive win, can never really seem to get it going. Just two days after defeating the Memphis Grizzlies on the road, Sacramento was blown out on Sunday by the Dallas Mavericks, the team that currently holds the worst record in the Western Conference.</p>
<p>The lone concern I have about this game is the fact the Jazz will be playing in it on the second night of a back-to-back right after taking on the Warriors the day prior. Beyond that, however, Utah should hold a clear advantage over the Kings, particularly if Gobert can once again shut down Cousins like he did in the first contest.</p>
<p>And Utah has been solid in back ends of back-to-backs, going 5-1 so far on the year. Thus, given the fact that they’ll be returning to their home court and are overall a more talented and consistent team than the Kings, I have no problem slotting the Jazz as the winner of the contest.</p>
<p><strong>My Prediction: Jazz Win</strong></p>
<p><strong>Final Score: Utah 102, Sacramento 86</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/2016/12/18/utah-jazz-week-nine-outlook-predictions/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 12/23 Utah vs. Toronto </a>
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<a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/12/18/utah-jazz-week-nine-outlook-predictions/"https://thejnotes.com/files/2016/12/9153556-nba-utah-jazz-toronto-raptors.jpg">
#takefnnote</a> <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/12/18/utah-jazz-week-nine-outlook-predictions/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/ontothenextone?src=hash%22>#ontothenextone</a></p>
<p>— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/12/18/utah-jazz-week-nine-outlook-predictions/"https://twitter.com/rudygobert27/status/810670557402451968">December 19, 2016</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>It’s incredible what the Stifle Tower has been doing of late, not only shutting down opposing teams with his awesome shot blocking and rim protection, but also his incredible offensive production. Rudy has put up a double-double in each of his last seven games and has averaged over 17 points and 13 rebounds during that stretch.</p>
<p>And while Jonas Valanciunas is no pushover as a big man, Gobert is certainly proving to be a more formidable player and should very well be able to outmatch him and give the Jazz a stark advantage down low. This becomes even more clear when observing the lack of size Toronto has coming off the bench, particularly after having lost Bismack Biyombo over the offseason.</p>
<p>And while Lowry and DeRozan are solid, the Jazz have plenty of offensive and defensive weapons of their own that should very well be able to counter Toronto’s prolific and versatile attack.</p>
<p>Thus, while this will be one of the toughest opponents the Jazz have faced so far this season, I’m giving them the edge on their home court against the Raptors.</p>
<p><strong>My Prediction: Jazz Win</strong></p>
<p><strong>Final Score: Utah 106, Toronto 98</strong></p>
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<p>So once again I’ve pinned the Jazz at 2-1 on the week. Nevertheless, it would be incredible to see them defy my expectations and go 3-0 once more. Obviously that would require a win over the Warriors which isn’t out of the question but would definitely still be considered a surprise.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, regardless of what happens in the game against the Warriors, based on what the Jazz have done over their latest hot streak, if they’re able to defeat the Toronto Raptors as well on top of their body of work from last week, they will no doubt solidify themselves as one of the top competitors in the league.</p>
<p>Of course a win over the Warriors would help to prove that even more, but without Hill and with a handful of areas where Utah could still use some cleaning up, that may prove to be too difficult a task. However, there’s no denying that the Jazz are improving and as they continue to do so throughout the season, the doubts over whether or not this is a top-tier team should slowly but surely begin to dissipate.</p>
<p><em>All stats courtesy of NBA.com</em></p><!—pageview_candidate—>">