Utah Jazz Week Three Outlook, Predictions
11/12 Utah at Miami
6:00 pm MT – Root Sports/League Pass
Opponent record: 2-3
Season series: Tied 0-0
Miami is another one of those teams with a lot of question marks surrounding them this year. They have some good pieces, but don’t figure to be one of the elite teams in the East (then again, is there any elite team in the East besides the Cavs?).
They posted solid wins over the Kings and the Magic and have been in each game that they lost. Hassan Whiteside has been an absolute animal this season averaging a team-high 20 points, an astounding 14.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. Gobert and Favors will most definitely have their hands full with him and it’s likely that their performances will directly decide the game’s outcome.
Goran Dragic and Tyler Johnson have also been solid for this Heat team that features a lot of athletic wings and of course a solid rim protector and rebounder in Whiteside.
Yet under normal circumstances, I would definitely give the Jazz the edge over the Heat talent-wise. However, since this will be the final game of a long five-game road trip and the Jazz will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back immediately after playing a physical Magic team, I expect that Miami will likely take advantage of a fatigued Utah squad and send them home with a loss in their final game of the trip.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Utah found a way to win if they’re able to come out with energy and contain Whiteside, but considering the rough week they’ll have ahead of this contest, it seems like a tall order to presume the Jazz will come out on top.
My Prediction: Heat Win
Final Score: Miami 100, Utah 91
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So maybe I’ve taken an overly optimistic swing from last week, but with Gordon Hayward back in action against a slew of mediocre opponents and considering how well the Jazz looked overall last week, I don’t find it unrealistic to have them come out with a 3-1 week once again.
The game against the Hornets worries me and the contest with the Magic has the feel of a trap game, but even if the Jazz are able to go 2-2 this week to finish their first road trip of the new season at 3-2, it would be an impressive achievement for this new-look team as they continue to gel and come into their own.
All stats courtesy of NBA.com