Utah Jazz 2017-18 Week Eight Outlook, Predictions
12/4 Utah vs. Washington
7:00 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/League Pass
Opponent record: 12-10
Season series: Tied 0-0
The Washington Wizards have had some considerable ups and downs of late as they’ve gone 5-5 over their last 10 contests. However, that inconsistent nature is quite understandable considering that part of it is due to the fact that their best player John Wall has been sidelined with a knee injury for the past four games. Even so, the Wizards have gone 2-2 in his latest absence and have earned impressive wins over the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves during that time.
Nevertheless, there’s still no doubting that they’re not quite the same team without Wall and the Jazz will absolutely have to take advantage as a result. Utah played exceptionally well against the Washington Wizards last season and especially without their point man able to play, I wouldn’t be surprised to see that success repeat itself this year.
https://twitter.com/WashWizards/status/937397532229099520
But by no means will they be able to sleep on the Wizards as they’ve still got a host of talented and dangerous guys, principally Bradley Beal who’s averaging a team-high 22.6 points while shooting 45.7 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from deep. They’ve also got Otto Porter Jr. who’s having a revolutionary season thus far shooting 52.1 percent from the field and an astounding 45.9 percent from deep, proving that he’s worth the hefty contract they extended him.
Kelly Oubre, Jr. has played well of late, too, and truly several Wizards players have risen to the occasion in recent games. Still, their 12-10 record is a pretty good indication of the kind of team they’ve been so far this season and considering how well Utah played against them last year, that it’s being played in Salt Lake City and that John Wall is out of commission, I’m pinning the Jazz to come out on top.
My Prediction: Jazz Win
Final Score: Utah 104, Washington 97