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Utah Jazz Week Nineteen Outlook, Predictions

Feb 26, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) celebrates with teammates on the court against the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Jazz won 102-92. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) celebrates with teammates on the court against the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Jazz won 102-92. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 26, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Dallas Mavericks during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Dallas Mavericks during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

2/28 Utah at Oklahoma City

6:00 pm MT – Root Sports/League Pass

Opponent record: 34-25

Season series: Tied 1-1

The most recent loss to the Thunder was undoubtedly a heartbreaker as Utah fell 97-95. After walloping OKC in the first contest despite George Hill‘s absence, many felt the Jazz would be able to do so again, but instead they fell in disappointing fashion.

Nevertheless, Utah is still constructed to match up quite well against this OKC team, given that the Thunder put so much emphasis on Russell Westbrook and don’t have all that many other weapons around him that can outperform the Jazz.

However, the Thunder made a sneaky good move at the trade deadline by engaging in a deal that sent Cameron Payne, Joffrey Lauvergne and Anthony Morrow to the Bulls in exchange for Taj Gibson and sharpshooter Doug McDermott.

While neither has been overly dazzling in either of the Thunder’s first two games since the All-Star break, both are proven contributors that very well could have a big impact on this Oklahoma City team moving forward.

Therefore, if the Jazz had a tough time against OKC before, they more than likely will find themselves up for an even bigger challenge this time around. There’s no questioning that Tuesday’s game is far and away Utah’s most difficult match-up of the week as well as the most important.

Although the Thunder currently find themselves in seventh place in the West, there’s a very real possibility that they could surge in this final stretch of the season and it’s vital that the Jazz win this game, not only to help their position in the Western Conference standings, but also to retake the season series lead over OKC in case the need for a tiebreaker between the two teams arises.

Of course you can be sure that Russell Westbrook will be ready to carry his load, but if Utah can slow him down and play as well as they have in the first two games of the post-break stretch, then I’m confident that they can come away with the win. As good as OKC has been this season, Utah’s depth and versatile lineups has the Thunder vastly outmatched.

I expect another thriller like the last time these two teams faced off, but this time with a much more favorable result for the Jazz.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 97, Oklahoma City 92

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