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

By Jared Woodcox

PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 2: The Utah Jazz celebrate a victory over the Phoenix Suns on February 2, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 2: The Utah Jazz celebrate a victory over the Phoenix Suns on February 2, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 10: Kyle Anderson #1 of the San Antonio Spurs goes to the basket against the Golden State Warriors on February 10, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 10: Kyle Anderson #1 of the San Antonio Spurs goes to the basket against the Golden State Warriors on February 10, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2/12 Utah vs. San Antonio

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

Opponent record: 35-22

Season series: Jazz lead 2-0

For the past few seasons, the Utah Jazz have been pretty beat up on the injury front. That largely continued this season as Dante Exum has yet to play a game, Rudy Gobert missed significant time and former Jazzman Rodney Hood suffered some various ailments earlier in the season. However, Utah has been far from the lone wounded team in the league; the Spurs have had several issues as well, which makes their current mark of third place in the West all the more impressive.

Their woes will continue heading into tonight’s game as point guards Dejounte Murray (sprained left ankle) and Tony Parker (back tightness) are both listed as questionable for the contest, while Rudy Gay (right heel burstitis), Kawhi Leonard (return from injury management) and, surprisingly, leading scorer LaMarcus Aldridge (sore right knee) are all listed as out.

Even though the Spurs will be so shorthanded, missing their two best players in Aldridge and Leonard, with a mastermind like Gregg Popovich calling the shots for them, there’s simply no sleeping on San Antonio. They’ve dealt with injuries all year long, but have somehow been able to overcome them time and time again with a successful ‘next man up’ mentality and disciplined play across the board.

Not to mention, the fact that Utah has already beat the Spurs twice is mind-blowing. To suppose they can topple them a third time would be almost hard to fathom.  To find the last time the Jazz beat San Antonio at least three times in a season, you have to go all the way back to 2009-10 where Utah went 4-0 against them. Before then, earning three wins against them in a season hadn’t happened since 1997-98.

Plus, the Jazz will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back after a hard-fought bout in Portland last night, which means fatigue could certainly play a factor.

Nevertheless, with how well Utah has played of late and how undermanned the Spurs are set to be, I have a feeling that the Jazz are going to simply keep on rolling. As hard as it would have been to believe merely a few weeks ago when Utah fell in embarrassing fashion to the Atlanta Hawks, I’m pinning this Jazz team to earn their 10th straight victory tonight.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 111, San Antonio 100

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