The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz 2017-18 Week One Outlook, Predictions

By Jared Woodcox

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 10: The Utah Jazz stand for the National Anthem before a preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 10, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 10: The Utah Jazz stand for the National Anthem before a preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 10, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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10/20 Utah at Minnesota

6:00 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/League Pass

Opponent record: 0-0 (2-1 in Preseason)

Season series: Tied 0-0

It’s interesting that in Utah’s first three games they’ll take on Denver, Minnesota and OKC in that order, because I feel like that’s the order in which all three teams improved this offseason. While Denver did good to add Paul Millsap, Minnesota went a step further by adding a slew of savvy veterans such as Jeff Teague, Jamal Crawford and Taj Gibson as well as a star in Jimmy Butler to an already incredible young core featuring the extremely highly touted Karl-Anthony Towns.

While I fully expect the Timberwolves to be a force to be reckoned with this season, I also think the Minnesota hype train is a bit overblown right now. They have a ton of talent, but some have gone as far as pinning Towns as the best center in the league and (my fandom for Rudy Gobert aside) I think that’s a bit of a stretch, even if the Stifle Tower weren’t in the conversation.

Similarly, some have projected the Wolves to be the most improved team in the West and many have them pinned as the fifth best team in the conference. That may very well end up being the case, but given that they finished 13th a season ago, I have a hard time seeing a jump that astronomical even with the new guys they’ve inserted.

https://twitter.com/utahjazz/status/919913720515403777

Minnesota has several questions facing them, including their three-point shooting and overall floor spacing, that might cause them more issues than expected. Not to mention, their bench last year was atrocious and, while they made some major improvements there, it still appears likely to be a point of weakness.

With all that being said, though, in this second game of the season for both teams and the home opener for the Timberwolves, I expect Minnesota to come away with the win. As I mentioned earlier, the new-look Jazz have a lot to figure out within their own ranks and this first contest on the road may prove to be quite a challenge for them.

Not only that, but the fact that Minnesota will be playing in their home opener in front of what should be an ecstatic crowd that will be anxious to see their new team in action, I expect the T-Wolves to come out with a similar energy to what I predicted the Jazz would in their bout against the Nuggets.

Therefore, while I think the Jazz have the personnel and defense to frustrate Minnesota’s youth and lack of depth, at the end of the day I think the Timberwolves will come out on top in this one, instantly dropping the Jazz from a perfect 1.000 to a record of .500.

My Prediction: Timberwolves Win

Final Score: Minnesota 111, Utah 104

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