The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz 2017-18 Week 10 Outlook, Predictions

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 22: Derrick Favors #15, Joe Ingles #2, and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz react during game against the Chicago Bulls on November 22, 2017 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 22: Derrick Favors #15, Joe Ingles #2, and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz react during game against the Chicago Bulls on November 22, 2017 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 16: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts after a foul in the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Toyota Center on December 16, 2017 in Houston, Texas. 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 16: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts after a foul in the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Toyota Center on December 16, 2017 in Houston, Texas. 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

12/18 Utah at Houston

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

Opponent record: 24-4

Season series: Rockets lead 2-0

The Utah Jazz’s last two contests against the Houston Rockets have been far from kind. Fortunately, the most recent battle saw Utah put up a little bit better fight than the first, but it was still pretty clear from the onset that the Jazz were outmatched. This comes as little surprise, though, as the Houston Rockets currently find themselves with the best record in the NBA and have separated themselves as one of the league’s elites.

Not to mention, they’ve won 13 straight games and are undefeated since Chris Paul returned to action. There are guys throughout their first and second units that are stepping up in a big way as they are absolutely punishing nearly every team they face. The scary thing about Houston so far this season is that not only are they torching the nets from deep and playing terrific offense, but their defense has been staunch as well.

They’re second in the league in offensive rating and eighth in defensive rating. A top-10 finish in both of those two categories is a pretty sure-fire indication that a team is absolutely elite which is a perfect description of how the Rockets have played this year. Only the Golden State Warriors (1st in offensive rating, second in defensive rating) and Toronto Raptors (fourth in offensive rating, seventh in defensive rating can boast such a feat so far this season.

Therefore, the Jazz will be in for a tough task on Monday as they battle the Rockets in Houston for the second time in just over a week. We know that Rudy Gobert will be out of commission for this game, but if Derrick Favors is out once again, too, that will likely even further reduce Utah’s chances.

However, if he is available, the Jazz have played quite well with him as their starting center and when they’re able to space the floor. Not to mention, Utah matched up quite well against Houston last year, so I could see Quin Snyder putting some things into practice that could help them come out on top.

But if I’m being honest with myself, the Rockets are just too dang good whereas the Jazz have been too inconsistent for me to predict them as winners in this one. Hopefully Utah can give Houston even more of a run for their money than in the last contest, but I have a hard time seeing them stealing the win in Houston in the fifth game of this long road stint, so I’m picking the Rockets to pick up a third win over the Jazz this season.

My Prediction: Rockets Win

Final Score: Houston 109, Utah 101

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