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Utah Jazz vs. Milwaukee Bucks: Keys to winning second straight

By Jared Woodcox

Milwaukee, WI - FEBRUARY 24: John Henson #31 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots the ball against the Utah Jazz on February 24, 2017 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
Milwaukee, WI - FEBRUARY 24: John Henson #31 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots the ball against the Utah Jazz on February 24, 2017 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Prediction – Bucks 103, Jazz 97

I would really like to think that the Utah Jazz can come away with a victory in this one. The Bucks are in a bit of a slump lately, Utah played extremely well against them last year as they were mainly able to keep Antetokounmpo in check in one game and overcame a solid performance from him in the other, and the Jazz are once again on their home court where they boast a 7-4 record this season.

However, the Jazz have overall played so poorly of late, minus in games against the reeling Orlando Magic and dismal Chicago Bulls, that I have a hard time feeling confident picking them to come out on top over a Bucks team that is above .500 and has a superstar in Giannis Antetokounmpo. Utah simply has nobody that will be able to answer the call against the Greek Freak and, as a result of that, I expect the Bucks to come out on top.

Next: Utah Jazz vs Milwaukee Bucks key matchup: Antetokounmpo vs the field

With that being said, this certainly is a contest that should be considered winnable for Utah and if they can avoid a slow start and overwhelm Milwaukee defensively like they were able to last year, then the Jazz could very well prove me wrong. However, they’ve done a much better job of proving me wrong when I’ve tried to be optimistic and picked them to win these kind of contests, so based on recent experiences, I’m going to stick with pinning them to lose.

Following tonight’s contest, the Utah Jazz will host the Denver Nuggets which will be another one of those tough but winnable games – particularly with Paul Millsap out indefinitely – in which Utah will have a significant opportunity to prove their worth. They’re in need of some wins before a tough December, so ideally they’ll be able to get it done to close out this home stand.

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