Utah Jazz vs. Maccabi Haifa: Keys to the Game

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 2: Head coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz talks with his player Rudy Gobert (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 2: Head coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz talks with his player Rudy Gobert (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 2: Head coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz looks on during their game against the Sydney Kings at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 2, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 2: Head coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz looks on during their game against the Sydney Kings at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 2, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)

Prediction – Jazz 110, Haifa 91

Even if the Jazz aren’t completely polished for this second preseason game, their overwhelming advantage in terms of talent should easily elevate them to a victory. While it would be nice to see improvement and for all three of these keys to be fulfilled, whether they are or not, Utah should still win the game in relatively easy fashion.

Therefore, I’m going to stick with the same prediction I made in my weekly outlook piece in which I projected the Jazz to nab a 110-91 victory. I’d like to see them log an even more convincing win, but given that they’ll largely be experimenting with different lineup combinations and will play several guys who are lower on the depth chart in the final period, a 19-point victory seems pretty reasonable.

Next: Utah Jazz vs. Sydney Kings reactions: What went right/wrong?

After Wednesday’s bout, the Jazz will play against their first NBA opponent in the Phoenix Suns and it will be exhilarating to then see how they measure up. Utah showed a lot of good things on Monday and I’m sure we’ll see even more improvement with each and every preseason game beginning with the upcoming bout against Maccabi Haifa.