The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz at Washington Wizards: Keys to sweeping season series

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 4: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz goes to the basket against the Washington Wizards on December 4, 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 - DECEMBER 4: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz goes to the basket against the Washington Wizards on December 4, 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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – DECEMBER 4: The Utah Jazz mascot looks on during the game against the Washington Wizards on December 4, 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 – DECEMBER 4: The Utah Jazz mascot looks on during the game against the Washington Wizards on December 4, 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) /

Key #1 – Play with the same confidence from the last meeting

Say whatever you want about how the Washington Wizards played in the last meeting between these two teams and throw around the word ‘fluke’ as much as you’d like, but there’s still no denying that the Utah Jazz looked absolutely special in their previous win over the Wizards. Utah seemingly could not miss in their 47-point blowout win over Washington and they were flat-out dripping with confidence in nearly every way.

It was a great look for a team that has quite frankly played timidly on many occasions this season. The way Utah came out against the Wizards was extremely impressive and the swagger they had on the court carried over into how well they played.

Unfortunately, that kind of attitude and belief has taken a major dip in recent weeks. After a devastating 5-10 month of December and a January that’s started out 0-3 for the Jazz, there’s no questioning that their confidence has taken a major nosedive. However, they need to go into this game remembering how incredibly they played against Washington the last time around and use that as fuel to push them to a win this time around.

By no means do I suspect the Jazz to be able to come anywhere close to matching their 47-point victory from the previous meeting. But if the Jazz go into this game believing that the Wizards are a team that they’re more than capable of beating (as they proved earlier), it could very well give them a boost in every aspect of their game.

Washington obviously won’t soon forget the embarrassing loss the Jazz handed them either, so expect them to come out angry and with a strong desire for revenge. Even so, as long as Utah is prepared for that and can counter it with some confidence of their own, it could put them in a great spot to win the mental battle and come out on top over a solid Wizards team.

Home/Jazz News