4/12 Utah vs. San Antonio
7:00 pm MT – Root Sports/League Pass
Opponent record: 61-19
Season series: Spurs lead 2-1
Depending on the outcome of the Jazz-Warriors game and the Rockets-Clippers game on Monday, this bout against the Spurs could very well have absolutely no meaning. If Utah loses tomorrow and the Clippers win, then LA will officially clinch the fourth seed while the Jazz will be slotted in fifth.
If such ends up being the case, then a Jazz team that has struggled through countless injuries this season could very well opt to rest most of their key guys in this contest. The Spurs, who are already slotted at the two-seed, could likely do the same thing.
Thus this match-up may end up being nothing more than a fun bout between the likes of Jazz rookie Joel Bolomboy and Spurs rookie Davis Bertans. That’s not exactly your typical high-intensity Jazz vs. Spurs bout, but it would still be entertaining nonetheless.
Davis Bertans is now the ONLY rookie in Spurs franchise history to have both 60+ three-pointers and 25+ blocks.
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) April 6, 2017
However, if Utah is somehow able to defeat the Warriors and/or the Rockets beat the Clippers, then Utah will still have something to play for in this contest. That dynamic could change things up as perhaps Utah will be less willing to rest guys in hopes that they can still earn home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs as well as finish with a 50-win season.
Thus, without knowing exactly what’s going to happen on Monday, it’s pretty hard to make an accurate prediction for this contest. However, I’m feeling somewhat confident that it will end up being a battle between two resting teams.
Thus, given that the Spurs year in and year out seem to have never-ending depth and guys that are always able to step up, as much as it hurts, I’m going to pin San Antonio as the winners in this contest, holding the Jazz one-game short of a 50-win season.
My Prediction: Spurs Win
Final Score: San Antonio 96, Utah 88