The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz 2017-18 Week Nine Outlook, Predictions

By Jared Woodcox

MILWAUKEE, WI - DECEMBER 9: Thabo Sefolosha #22 of the Utah Jazz is seen before the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 9, 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 - DECEMBER 9: Thabo Sefolosha #22 of the Utah Jazz is seen before the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 9, 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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CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 09: Nikola Mirotic #44 of the Chicago Bulls reacts after making a shot in the second quarter against the New York Knicks at the United Center on December 9, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 09: Nikola Mirotic #44 of the Chicago Bulls reacts after making a shot in the second quarter against the New York Knicks at the United Center on December 9, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

12/13 Utah at Chicago

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

Opponent record: 5-20

Season series: Jazz lead 1-0

I’m feeling good about this game for a few reasons. First of all, the Chicago Bulls are pretty much unarguably the worst team in the NBA. They’ve logged just five wins this season giving them the worst record in the NBA despite playing in presumably the weaker conference. They have some guys who play hard but overall, they simply don’t have the pieces to strike fear into any team.

Not only that, but Utah just barely played them a few weeks back and absolutely obliterated them by a score of 110-80. Thus the Jazz’s confidence should be high and despite their road woes, they should be more than well-equipped to outmatch a dismal Bulls team.

Last of all, I like the fact that the Jazz are coming into this game off of three days of rest. Back during Utah’s hottest streak of the season that saw them win six straight, they had two games off to prepare for Milwaukee, then two more days off to prepare for the Denver Nuggets. Both games ended up going overwhelmingly in Utah’s favor as it appeared they got the chance to make adjustments and game plan without Rudy Gobert in the mix.

Now that he’s back, the Jazz will need to once again make further adjustments and it would be great to see them be able to figure out how to best utilize him to get both the offense and defense back to where it was during the six-game winning streak, handily defeat the Bulls to build confidence and then be better prepared for the remaining four road games ahead after that.

While all of that coming together would be nice, regardless of what the following games hold, I see no reason why the Jazz shouldn’t be able to beat Chicago on Wednesday. Sure, the Jazz have been awful on the road and they can’t risk coming out flat-footed against a hungry Bulls team that has won two straight, but the talent is heavily leaning in Utah’s favor.

Therefore, despite some concerning play of late, I fully expect the Jazz to have a mini bounce back game and log an easy victory over the Chicago Bulls to start out the week.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 105, Chicago 88

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