The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz vs. Chicago Bulls: Keys to a much-needed victory

By Jared Woodcox

PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 19: The Chicago Bulls huddle before the game against the Phoenix Suns on November 19, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 19: The Chicago Bulls huddle before the game against the Phoenix Suns on November 19, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOBEMBER 1: Donovan Mitchell #45 and Rodney Hood #5 of the Utah Jazz high five during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 1, 2017 at vivint.SmartHome Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOBEMBER 1: Donovan Mitchell #45 and Rodney Hood #5 of the Utah Jazz high five during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 1, 2017 at vivint.SmartHome Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Key #2 – Ride the home court momentum

Despite a disappointing overall record of 7-11, part of the reason why the Jazz find themselves in such a bad spot is because they’ve been absolutely horrible on the road, only barely logging their first win away from Vivint Smart Home Arena on Saturday over the Magic. Those struggles have the Jazz at 1-7 on the road, which includes losses to the likes of the Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns.

However, at home the Jazz are a much more promising 6-4. Sure, it’s early in the year and there’s bound to be plenty more home losses to come, but a .600 home record would be quite respectable if Utah were able to maintain it over the course of the entire season. The fact of the matter is that, aside from a few outliers, overall the Jazz have looked significantly better on their home court, thus that should give them a boost against Chicago tomorrow.

Therefore, they’ll need to take full advantage of the momentum and confidence that they should have returning to their home court and come out with energy and focus to defeat a dismal Bulls team. Part of the reason for Utah’s road struggles has had to do with a lack of any sort of focus or intensity that has resulted in slow starts or empty quarters. Many fans have expressed dissatisfaction with Utah’s flat-footedness and apparent lack of hustle in recent contests.

That’s a trend that the Jazz will absolutely have to buck if they hope to get back to their winning ways on Wednesday night. Hopefully the Jazz will give the crowd plenty of reason to cheer and the ensuing electric atmosphere will help spur them on to victory.

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