The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz 2017-18 Week 11 Outlook, Predictions

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 23: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up court 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. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 23: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up court 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. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 10: Trey Lyles #7 of the Denver Nuggets is seen during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 10, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 10: Trey Lyles #7 of the Denver Nuggets is seen during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 10, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

12/26 Utah at Denver

7:00 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/League Pass

Opponent record: 18-15

Season series: Jazz lead 2-0

The Denver Nuggets have to be feeling pretty good considering that their most recent contest resulted in a surprising drubbing of the Golden State Warriors which saw Denver win by a score of 96-81 while holding the Warriors to a dreadful 3-of-27 (11.1 percent) outing from behind the three-point line.

Regardless of the health or mindset of Golden State in that game, that’s an impressive performance on both ends of the floor for the Nuggets, and one that ought to have them feeling confident as they prepare to face a slumping Jazz team back on their home court where they’re an insane 11-3. Meanwhile, the Jazz are just about opposite on the road where they’ve won only three of 16 contests this season.

That’s an extremely bad combination. The Nuggets are playing well and are exceptional in their tough home environment, whereas Utah hasn’t been able to beat hardly anybody on the road. The Nuggets are without Paul Millsap, but as I mentioned in the intro, Trey Lyles has been absolutely phenomenal in his absence and several other players have stepped up big time as well.

The Jazz do own a 2-0 series lead this season, which makes me feel good about how well they match-up against the Nuggets and gives me some hope that they’ll be able to pull of yet another win, but the discrepancy in the two teams’ home vs. road records makes me feel extremely less confident in Utah’s chances. Particularly as they continue to muddle forward without Rudy Gobert, I have a hard time seeing them pulling off a win in an extremely hostile Pepsi Center.

Therefore, while this is certainly a game that I could see going either way, I’m going to bet that Denver finds a way to outmatch a Jazz team that can’t seem to find any sort of rhythm on the road.

My Prediction: Nuggets Win

Final Score: Denver 112, Utah 108

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