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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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 16: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder moves down the court in the first quarter against the New York Knicks during their game at Madison Square Garden on December 16, 2017 in New York City. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 16: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder moves down the court in the first quarter against the New York Knicks during their game at Madison Square Garden on December 16, 2017 in New York City. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

12/23 Utah vs. Oklahoma City

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

Opponent record: 14-15

Season series: Tied 1-1

There’s not a whole lot to add to this one given that I’ve already discussed the match-up between these two teams that will take place on Wednesday. However, if I was feeling optimistic about Utah’s chances of stealing a road win in OKC, I’m feeling even better about their chances of winning this game on Saturday.

Utah will be coming into the game with a day of rest whereas the Thunder are playing on the second night of a back-to-back, the Jazz have played well at home and thoroughly dominated OKC in their last meeting in Salt Lake City and, finally, amidst all of OKC’s struggles, one of their biggest has been playing on the road where they hold a record of just 5-11.

Therefore, with all those things stacking up favorably for the Jazz against a Thunder team that, as I mentioned, has struggled all season to put any sort of chemistry together, I’m predicting the Jazz to earn their second win of the week against Oklahoma City.

They’ll need to play with energy and, again, force OKC’s Big 3 into a poor shooting night while also holding Steven Adams in check. But if they do all that, they should be primed for a much-needed win to put themselves and all of Jazz Nation in high spirits heading into the holidays.

Next: Utah Jazz-Cleveland Cavs: Monster effort, Mitchell’s heroics not enough

So I’ve got the Jazz going 2-2 this week, which would keep them just two games under .500. Considering how tough this month has been, that wouldn’t be a bad mark at all going forward. It won’t be easy, though, as even the two wins over OKC that I predicted are far from a guarantee.

On the flip side, the Spurs haven’t looked quite as daunting this season, so perhaps the Jazz could even steal that one and go 3-1, which would indeed put them back solidly at .500, while also handing OKC two losses to thereby steal their spot at eighth in the West.

It would be great if things came together like that, but I’m not confident that such will be the case. In fact, I’m even worried that my 2-2 prediction is overly optimistic. Nevertheless, the Jazz showed some good signs in both of their recent road bouts against Boston and Cleveland, so if it carries over into Week Ten, they could very well prove my optimism as very much justified.

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