Utah Jazz Week Twenty-Four Outlook, Predictions
4/7 Utah vs. Minnesota
7:00 pm MT – Root Sports/League Pass
Opponent record: 30-45
Season series: Jazz lead 2-1
As I mentioned before, the Jazz were walloped the last time the Minnesota Timberwolves were in town despite the fact that Utah won both previous games on Minnesota’s home court. In a lot of ways the loss was somewhat expected given that it was on the back end of a back-to-back and Utah’s fourth game in six days. Not to mention, it was the first contest after a grueling three-game road trip and the Jazz have struggled in those situations this season.
But the Wolves have showed a lot of promise on various occasions this season and still cannot be overlooked by any means. Although they’re officially out of the playoff race, a Tom Thibodeau-led team isn’t one that’s just going to buckle so it’s more than likely that Minnesota will be primed to put up a fight.
At the end of a difficult season, Tom Thibodeau is still preaching discipline (by @Ananth_Pandian https://t.co/FWsoGUstuH
— The Step Back (@The_Step_Back) March 31, 2017
Still, the Wolves have dealt all year with a lack of discipline and with their offseason quickly approaching, it wouldn’t be surprising at all if this young team came in unfocused and was quite easily dispatched by the Jazz. Minnesota has lost seven of their last nine and not only will the contest in Utah be a second night of a back-to-back for them, but it will also be the Wolves’ fourth game in five days while the Jazz are coming in with two full days off.
That’s a daunting undertaking for any team and it’s simply not a situation where I expect the Timberwolves to succeed. Therefore, I’m pinning the Jazz as comfortable winners in what will be their final game of the season against a non-playoff team.
My Prediction: Jazz Win
Final Score: Utah 111, Minnesota 97