The J-Notes
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The Utah Jazz 2017-18 Christmas List

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 23: Utah Jazz fans try to disrupt an Oklahoma City Thunder free throw attempt in the second half of the 103-89 win by the Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 23, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 23: Utah Jazz fans try to disrupt an Oklahoma City Thunder free throw attempt in the second half of the 103-89 win by the Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 23, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – DECEMBER 23: Head coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz yells to his team in the second half of the 103-89 win by the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 23, 2017 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. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – DECEMBER 23: Head coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz yells to his team in the second half of the 103-89 win by the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 23, 2017 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. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

4. Some swagger on the road

Utah’s 15-19 overall record is quite discouraging, to be sure. However, their record at home has been pretty dang exceptional. At 12-6, their play at home is better than three teams ahead of them in the Western Conference standings, including the fourth place Minnesota Timberwolves. If you saw only their home record, you might assume that it would be enough to put them well into the playoff picture.

Unfortunately, a pathetic 3-13 road record would signify otherwise. Utah’s struggles on the road, including against dismal opponents, is a huge reason why they’re currently in just ninth place in the West and four games under .500. Some struggles away from home are expected – that’s why they call it home court advantage – however, the degree to which they’ve been unable to perform on the road has been particularly disturbing.

And if Utah wants to have any hope of turning their fortune around and enjoy a happy new year, they’re absolutely going to need to inject some swagger on the road. Away from home, they’ve lacked energy, played unfocused and flat-footed basketball and quite frankly haven’t looked like the same team at all.

Reversing their road woes will be an instant way to astronomically improve their record and will be their only shot at making the playoffs when all is said and done this season.

Next: With a touch of luck, Utah Jazz could be nearing something special

So the season hasn’t exactly gotten off to the start that the Utah Jazz wanted and that’s resulted in a less than favorable record. However, with a little Christmas cheer and holiday fortune, they could very well turn things around quite quickly to begin the New Year. Health and a return to form from some of their key contributors will be vital, so hopefully Santa Claus will come through and deliver all the much-needed items on the Jazz’s Christmas wish list.

We’ll see how it all plays out and be watching anxiously for the Jazz to make a big turnaround after a grueling month of December. Regardless of how that all plays out, though, more importantly, all of us at TheJNotes.com want to wish our readers a very Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and a wonderful holiday season! Thank you for following us all year long and we look forward to plenty more Utah Jazz news and excitement in the year ahead!

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