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Utah Jazz 2017-18 Week Eight Outlook, Predictions

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 30: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz dunks the ball against the LA Clippers on November 30, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 30: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz dunks the ball against the LA Clippers on November 30, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 1: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Capital One Arena on December 1, 2017 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 1: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Capital One Arena on December 1, 2017 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images)

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

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