The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz 2017-18 Week 16 Outlook, Predictions

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 20: The Utah Jazz celebrates during the game against the LA Clippers on January 20, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 20: The Utah Jazz celebrates during the game against the LA Clippers on January 20, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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2/2 Utah at Phoenix

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

Opponent record: 17-32

Season series: Suns lead 1-0

The Phoenix Suns have been absolutely brutal to watch for most of the season, but it was the Jazz who were even less of a viewing pleasure the last time these two squads faced off. Utah was absolutely lacking in energy in that game and the Suns were able to run away with a low-scoring 97-88 victory. It was considered at the time as a low-point of the season. If only that had been the case…

However, Phoenix has done little to right the ship since then while the Jazz have at least shown some signs of life. The Suns have lost three games in a row and eight of their last ten, and it’s little wonder why. They’re third to last in the league in defensive rating (109.5) and fourth to last in offensive rating (102.4) making them one of the worst teams on both ends of the floor.

A lot of that has to do with effort as this Suns team has been known to simply quit, particularly on the defensive end. They are led by shooting extraordinaire Devin Booker who’s putting up 24.5 points per game on 43.3 percent shooting from the field and 38 percent from deep, but even that hasn’t been nearly enough to save them from their other issues.

Booker and his fans felt that he was snubbed from the All-Star Game, but when you do little more than shoot (and at less than an efficient rate, especially for a supposed All-Star) while bringing little else to the table, average nearly four turnovers per game and play for one of the worst teams in the league, even the high scoring rate looks less than impressive.

Therefore, while it certainly will be important for the Jazz to hold an electrifying scorer like Booker in check, there’s still no reason why they shouldn’t be able to overcome their road woes and earn the victory. I believe they learned from their previous loss in Phoenix and are slowly but surely starting to turn around their lack of discipline on the road, so I’m expecting Utah to figure out a way to come out on top in this one.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 98, Phoenix 91

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