SALT LAKE CITY, UT – DECEMBER 25: Derrick Favors #15 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz high-five after a game against the Portland Trail Blazers on December 25, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Utah Jazz play just three games in the final two weeks before the All-Star break. Can they use those contests to bounce back from a poor Week 16?
The Utah Jazz didn’t exactly have the most riveting performances in Week 16 as they went just 1-2 which included two blowout losses to current Western Conference playoff teams. Utah looked unfocused and out of sync against both the Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets a week ago. To be honest, they also looked that way against the Atlanta Hawks in the game in between, but thanks to a stellar performance from Rudy Gobert, they managed to get the win.
Still, Utah went just 1-2 to drop their season record to 30-24. I correctly predicted the win over Atlanta and the loss to Houston, so I went an only slightly better 2-1 to improve to just above the Jazz at 31-23.
It’s entirely plausible that the impending trade deadline has them feeling out of sorts as several reports seem to indicate that the Jazz may very well be shaking things up and making some major moves by this Thursday. As such, we could see a different team between Wednesday’s contest against Phoenix and Saturday’s against San Antonio.
And due to the fact that the Jazz have just three games left between now and the All-Star break, with two in Week 17 and a mere single game in Week 18, I’ll go ahead and roll both weeks into one preview. After hosting the Suns and Spurs, the Jazz will close out their pre-All-Star break season with a daunting meeting at Oracle Arena against the Golden State Warriors.
The Jazz certainly haven’t looked sharp of late and a trade may very well dramatically alter the makeup of the roster. But regardless of what happens in the coming days, these three contests leading up to the break will be crucial for Utah to get their mojo back and return to their winning ways, particularly against playoff-caliber teams. Let’s dive into each one and see how they’re likely to fare.
correctly predicted</a> the win over Atlanta and the loss to Houston, so I went an only slightly better 2-1 to improve to just above the Jazz at 31-23.</p>
<p>It’s entirely plausible that the impending trade deadline has them feeling out of sorts as several reports seem to indicate that the Jazz may very well be shaking things up and making some major moves by this Thursday. As such, we could see a different team between Wednesday’s contest against Phoenix and Saturday’s against San Antonio.</p>
<p>And due to the fact that the Jazz have just three games left between now and the All-Star break, with two in Week 17 and a mere single game in Week 18, I’ll go ahead and roll both weeks into one preview. After hosting the Suns and Spurs, the Jazz will close out their pre-All-Star break season with a daunting meeting at Oracle Arena against the Golden State Warriors.</p>
<p>The Jazz certainly haven’t looked sharp of late and a trade may very well dramatically alter the makeup of the roster. But regardless of what happens in the coming days, these three contests leading up to the break will be crucial for Utah to get their mojo back and return to their winning ways, particularly against playoff-caliber teams. Let’s dive into each one and see how they’re likely to fare.</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/2019/02/05/utah-jazz-weeks-17-18-outlook-can-jazz-enter-asb-high-note/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2/6 vs. Phoenix </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">PHOENIX, AZ – FEBRUARY 4: <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2019/02/05/utah-jazz-weeks-17-18-outlook-can-jazz-enter-asb-high-note/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=bookede01,bookede02&search=Devin+Booker&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Devin Booker</a> #1 of the Phoenix Suns reacts to a play during the game against the Houston Rockets on February 4. 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>2/6 Utah vs. Phoenix</h3>
<p><strong>7:00 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/League Pass</strong></p>
<p><strong>Opponent record: 11-44</strong></p>
<p><strong>Season series: Tied 0-0</strong></p>
<p>The Western Conference is loaded with talent nearly from top to bottom. Even the teams that are far out of the playoffs should be viewed as a threat night in and night out, save for one. The lone exception to that is none other than the hapless Phoenix Suns, who reside at dead last in the West with a dismal record of 11-44.</p>
<p>There was optimism, even among the ranks of Utah Jazz fans I believe, that former Jazz assistant coach Igor Kokoskov could help turn things around in Phoenix where the Suns have been bottom-feeders for years now. Unfortunately, a culture so accustomed to losing is hard to change overnight and it’s apparent that Igor still has his work cut out for him.</p>
<p>The Suns have dropped 11 straight contests and are winless since January 12th. They’ve won just four games on the road in 27 tries. They’re third to last in the league in offense and second to last in the league in defense.</p>
<p>Add all that together, and it would feel like this should be an easy win for the Jazz. I tend to agree, but it also has somewhat the feel of a trap game. The Jazz haven’t looked mentally sound of late, likely distracted by thoughts of the trade deadline. The Suns will also be hungry for a win and despite their long losing streak have had some extremely narrow losses. Last of all, Igor will know Utah’s game plan well which could present a challenge for Quin Snyder and Co.</p>
<p>All this considered, there’s still no reason why the Utah Jazz should lose this game. Utah is too talented and the Suns too lackluster. It might not be the prettiest game, but I’m still pinning the Jazz to come out on top.</p>
<p><strong>My Prediction: Jazz Win</strong></p>
<p><strong>Final Score: Utah 119, Phoenix 102</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/2019/02/05/utah-jazz-weeks-17-18-outlook-can-jazz-enter-asb-high-note/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2/9 vs. San Antonio </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-75272" src=https://thejnotes.com/2019/02/05/utah-jazz-weeks-17-18-outlook-can-jazz-enter-asb-high-note/"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%2F2017%2F07%2F1068529020-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389" srcset="https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1068529020-850x560.jpeg 850w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1068529020-768x507.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">SALT LAKE CITY, UT – DECEMBER 04: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs drives against Rudy Gobert #27 and <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2019/02/05/utah-jazz-weeks-17-18-outlook-can-jazz-enter-asb-high-note/"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> #3 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of a NBA game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>2/9 Utah vs. San Antonio</h3>
<p><strong>3:00 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/League Pass</strong></p>
<p><strong>Opponent record: 32-23</strong></p>
<p><strong>Season series: Tied 1-1</strong></p>
<p>The Jazz and Spurs have split blowout victories in the regular season series so far. Both teams play sound defense, are extremely well-coached and are right in the thick of the playoff race, so expect this to be a highly entertaining bout.</p>
<p>The aspect that I’m most looking forward to is that, with no small amount of controversy, <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2019/02/05/utah-jazz-weeks-17-18-outlook-can-jazz-enter-asb-high-note/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/aldrila01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 ref="nofollow">LaMarcus Aldridge</a> qualified for the All-Star Game over Rudy Gobert. Considering that Aldridge is having only a so-so year by his standards and that the Spurs are actually worse in both defensive and net rating with him on the court versus when he’s off, it’s not hard to see why people are upset that LaMarcus made it over Rudy.</p>
<p>So I full-on expect this to be a revenge game for Gobert as he aims to prove a point and solidify his All-Star snub. Seeing him go off against the Spurs would be an absolute delight.</p>
<p>San Antonio is an interesting matchup for the Jazz because while Utah tends to force teams into midrange shots, the Spurs actually are quite capable of making those shots. Therefore, the game could really come down to whether or not the Spurs shots are falling or not. Ideally, Utah will have an appropriate game plan in place in order to come away victorious and stifle a prolific Spurs offense that’s ranked fifth in the league.</p>
<p>This contest will no doubt be a battle as Utah aims to contain both Aldridge and <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2019/02/05/utah-jazz-weeks-17-18-outlook-can-jazz-enter-asb-high-note/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/derozde01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">DeMar DeRozan</a> and could very well be coming back from changes following Thursday’s trade deadline. Nevertheless, I like Utah’s odds of defending their home court in what will be a crucial game for momentum going into the All-Star break.</p>
<p><strong>My Prediction: Jazz Win</strong></p>
<p><strong>Final Score: Utah 103, San Antonio 97</strong></p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="2/12 at Golden State" data-url="https://thejnotes.com/2019/02/06/utah-jazz-dream-target-tobias-harris-traded-sixers/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2019/02/05/utah-jazz-weeks-17-18-outlook-can-jazz-enter-asb-high-note/"https://thejnotes.com/2019/02/06/utah-jazz-dream-target-tobias-harris-traded-sixers/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 2/12 at Golden State </a> </div>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-75185" src=https://thejnotes.com/2019/02/05/utah-jazz-weeks-17-18-outlook-can-jazz-enter-asb-high-note/"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%2F2017%2F07%2F1052565294-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389" srcset="https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1052565294-850x560.jpeg 850w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1052565294-768x507.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 19: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors defends against Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of a NBA game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 19, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>2/12 Utah at Golden State</h3>
<p><strong>8:30 pm MT – TNT</strong></p>
<p><strong>Opponent record: 37-15</strong></p>
<p><strong>Season series: Tied 1-1</strong></p>
<p>Speaking of Rudy Gobert revenge, I can’t wait to see what takes place in next Tuesday’s bout between Utah and Golden State. After Gobert broke into tears upon describing a touching conversation with his mother about missing the All-Star Game, Warriors players <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2019/02/05/utah-jazz-weeks-17-18-outlook-can-jazz-enter-asb-high-note/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/greendr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 ref="nofollow">Draymond Green</a> and <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2019/02/05/utah-jazz-weeks-17-18-outlook-can-jazz-enter-asb-high-note/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/iguodan01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Andre Iguodala</a> were quick to take to Twitter to mock him.</p>
<p>Gobert ultimately got the last laugh with <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2019/02/05/utah-jazz-weeks-17-18-outlook-can-jazz-enter-asb-high-note/"https://thejnotes.com/2019/02/02/utah-jazz-rudy-gobert-claps-back-draymond-green-hilarious-fashion/">a hilarious clap-back at Green</a>, but that doesn’t change the fact that these two are likely to engage in heated battle in this contest. Green is no stranger to antics and foolishness on the basketball court and I wouldn’t be surprised to see he and Rudy bring their off-court jabs onto the hardwood.</p>
<p>Hopefully Gobert will get the better of that matchup whenever he finds himself up against Green. But unfortunately, I ultimately am pinning the Jazz to fall short in this one. They’ve played the Warriors about as good as any other Western Conference team this season, losing to them in a buzzer beater in the first contest then toppling them in the second bout.</p>
<p>Still, Golden State has been playing at another level recently having won 12 of their last 13 games, many of which have come in commanding fashion. Meanwhile, as we saw in Week 16, the Jazz are struggling against elite squads to the degree that it’s hard to feel confident for them going against an elite juggernaut like the Warriors.</p>
<p>Perhaps at this time, the Jazz roster will feature some new faces that will spark them to momentum and victory, but from where we’re sitting now, I’m feeling less than optimistic about the Jazz’s chances.</p>
<p><strong>My Prediction: Warriors Win</strong></p>
<p><strong>Final Score: Golden State 122, Utah 101</strong></p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Utah Jazz: 25 years of the best (and worst) trade deadline deals" data-url="https://thejnotes.com/2019/02/04/utah-jazz-25-years-best-worst-trade-deadline-deals/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2019/02/05/utah-jazz-weeks-17-18-outlook-can-jazz-enter-asb-high-note/"https://thejnotes.com/2019/02/04/utah-jazz-25-years-best-worst-trade-deadline-deals/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Utah Jazz: 25 years of the best (and worst) trade deadline deals </a> </div>
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<p>The Jazz are getting ample rest with just three games in these final two weeks before the All-Star Break, then will enjoy some nice time off during the All-Star festivities. Hopefully they’re able to enter the break on a high, recover from whatever the trade deadline brings, then take momentum into the final important stretch of the season leading into the playoffs.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">