Utah Jazz Preseason Week One Outlook, Predictions

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 6: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns goes to the basket against the Utah Jazz on December 6, 2016 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 6: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns goes to the basket against the Utah Jazz on December 6, 2016 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
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TRARALGON, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 09: Brad Newley of the Kings competes for the ball during the 2017 NBL Blitz pre-season match between Melbourne United and the Sydney Kings at Traralgon Basketball Centre on September 9, 2017 in Traralgon, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
TRARALGON, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 09: Brad Newley of the Kings competes for the ball during the 2017 NBL Blitz pre-season match between Melbourne United and the Sydney Kings at Traralgon Basketball Centre on September 9, 2017 in Traralgon, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

10/2 Utah vs. Sydney Kings

My J-Notes colleague Ryan Aston and I have both already covered the impending match-up against the Sydney Kings in some detail, and the greatest takeaway that we’ve both touched on is that while this figures to be an easy win for the Jazz even if their starters play limited minutes, they still must not be caught napping.

The Kings will absolutely be out to prove that they can keep up with the best of the best, so while there’s truly little at stake in this game besides pride, you can bet that Sydney will be more than happy to put that pride on the line and play to win. The Kings are led by a pair of solid scorers in Brad Newley and Kevin Lisch. Furthermore, as was discussed earlier today on TheJNotes.com, big man Perry Ellis should present an exhilarating challenge for Derrick Favors and the Jazz.

Nevertheless, given Utah’s superior talent and extremely superior depth, I see little chance of Sydney pulling off the upset in this one. Barring a complete lack of focus or an unprecedented hot hand from essentially all of the Kings’ starters, the Jazz should be able to put this one away quite easily.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 106, Sydney 81