Utah Jazz 2017-18 Week Seven Outlook, Predictions
11/30 Utah at LA Clippers
8:30 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/League Pass
Opponent record: 7-11
Season series: Clippers lead 1-0
The Clippers have been an interesting team so far this season as they started out the year a perfect 4-0 which included a dominant win over the Utah Jazz, which led to many thinking they were bound for an exhilarating 2017-18 season. However, shortly thereafter, the Clips went on to lose nine straight games in which they looked absolutely outmatched, even by some less than daunting opponents.
They’ve since bounced back with a pair of wins, but given that they came over the horrific Atlanta Hawks and Sacramento Kings, they’re little to be proud of. In other words, the Clippers have looked extremely poor of late and even though this particular game will be played on the road, the Jazz should be able to take advantage.
Of course, one of the biggest issues facing the Clippers has been injuries as they’ve already lost Patrick Beverley for the season and are also without Danilo Gallinari and Milos Teodosic for the time being. With so many injuries and given that all of their former closers such as Chris Paul, Jamal Crawford and J.J. Redick are no longer with the team (although Blake Griffin has come through in the clutch this season on a couple occasions), they’re likely in for a struggle the rest of the season.
Therefore, hopefully the Jazz will be able to come out strong and take advantage of a wounded and reeling LA team. It’s no secret that Utah has been abysmal on the road so far this season (1-7) and that during the regular season last year the Clippers largely had their way with the Jazz, but I still think they put it together enough to come out on top in this one.
The Clips have truly looked pathetic of late and were it not for a couple of gimme games against the Hawks and Kings, they could very well still be in the middle of a lengthy losing streak. Utah will definitely have to come out with energy and focus on the road, though, but I believe they’ll be able to do just that.
My Prediction: Jazz Win
Final Score: Utah 97, Los Angeles 91