10/20 Utah Jazz at Minnesota Timberwolves: Keys to the Game

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 18: Head coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz gestures from the sideline during the second half of their 106-96 win over the Denver Nuggets at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 18, 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 – Timberwolves 111, Jazz 104

Make no mistake about it, the Utah Jazz are absolutely capable of winning this game. Despite the hype that the Timberwolves have received since their incredibly successful summer, they’re going to have plenty of kinks to work out and the Jazz should very well be able to remain competitive against them. Particularly if the Jazz can replicate their performance to close out the win against Denver, they could even win in commanding fashion.

Nevertheless, Utah is dealing with several new faces as well, and given that the new-look Wolves will have an enormous amount of energy in their home opener as they look to set the tone for the season, I have a feeling that this first road contest for the Jazz could be a difficult one. I expect a highly competitive game throughout all four quarters, but at the end of the night, I believe Minnesota will find a way to pull away for a seven-point win.

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After Friday’s bout, the Jazz will go on to play perhaps the toughest of their divisional foes – the Oklahoma City Thunder – in the second night of a back-to-back. The now star-studded Thunder will be a tough team to overcome, so hopefully Utah can go into the contest on a high note after proving me wrong and logging a confidence-raising win over the Timberwolves on Friday.

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