The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz 2017-18 Week Eight Outlook, Predictions

By Jared Woodcox

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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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – NOVEMBER 24: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder before the game against the Detroit Pistons on November 24, 2017 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – NOVEMBER 24: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder before the game against the Detroit Pistons on November 24, 2017 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

12/5 Utah at Oklahoma City

6:00 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/League Pass

Opponent record: 9-12

Season series: Jazz lead 1-0

It was all Utah Jazz the last time these two teams faced off as Utah came away with a dominant 96-87 victory despite playing on the second night of a back-to-back. At the time it was viewed as an extremely impressive win that had Jazz fans raving about the team’s chances this year.

In hindsight, considering OKC’s struggles this season and the fact that they’ve started out the year 9-12, the win wasn’t quite as impressive, but it was still a good one nonetheless. I don’t care what kind of chemistry issues the Thunder are having, containing Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony is never an easy task.

However, that’s exactly what Utah did, particularly Westbrook who has enjoyed significant success over the Jazz in the past, but in that bout he went just 2-of-11 from the field for six points. The Jazz are going to need a similar kind of performance if they hope to stop a middling Thunder team but it’s going to be an even tougher challenge this time around as it’s coming not only once again on the second night of a back-to-back but also on the road.

Despite OKC’s issues, they’ve actually been pretty solid within the friendly confines of Chesapeake Energy Arena where they boast a record of 7-3. Therefore, as much as I’d like to pick the Jazz to come out on top, combining their road woes with OKC’s success at home is likely going to result in the game going in the Thunder’s favor.

Not only that, but I’m still convinced that this team, though perhaps it will never be quite as good as we imagined in the preseason, will still get things figured out to some extent. That could happen sooner rather than later if the Thunder build some momentum and topple the Jazz on Tuesday as I believe they will.

My Prediction: Thunder Win

Final Score: Oklahoma City 107, Utah 99

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