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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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NEW ORLEANS – FEBRUARY 19: Anthony Davis #23 of the Western Conference All-Star Team holds up the MVP trophy after the 2017 NBA All-Star Game on February 19, 2017 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS – FEBRUARY 19: Anthony Davis #23 of the Western Conference All-Star Team holds up the MVP trophy after the 2017 NBA All-Star Game on February 19, 2017 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

All-Star Weekend Predictions

Since the Jazz play just two games in Week 18, I figured I’d wrap this up by giving my quick thoughts and predictions on All-Star Weekend, in which Donovan Mitchell will play a significant part on both Friday and Saturday!

2/16 Rising Stars Challenge

The Rising Stars Challenge, which features young players on Team United States against Team World, should be a fun event, especially since Donovan Mitchell will have a chance to go head-to-head against fellow Rookie of the Year candidate Ben Simmons of Australia. I’m expecting a fun and entertaining bout across the board, but at the end of the day, I expect Team United States to triumph, even with reigning Rising Stars MVP Jamal Murray (Canada) playing for the opposition.

Prediction – Team United States 145, Team World 137

2/17 Skills Challenge

The Skills Challenge is always one of my personal favorites and it seems like the field is always wide open. Unfortunately, reigning champion Kristaps Porzingis will be unable to defend his title due to the ACL injury he recently suffered. With that being the case, I’m going to go ahead and pin a guard to take the title back and predict that Lou Williams wins it this time. He’s had a phenomenal season and was arguably an All-Star snub, so I think he’ll come out with something to prove and will arise victorious.

2/17 Three-Point Contest

Although I’m tempted to boycott this event since, for the second year in a row, sharpshooter Joe Ingles was denied an invite, I’ll probably still find myself tuning in. Eric Gordon was victorious last season, but this year, I’m going to go with Paul George to win the event. He’s shooting a career-high 42.8 percent from behind the arc in his first year in Oklahoma City and I could see his smooth stroke coming up big in this exciting contest. Much like the Skills Challenge, though, this one is wide open.

2/17 Slam Dunk Contest

We all know which way I’m leaning in this one as rim-rocking rookie Donovan Mitchell will be participating in this high-flying event, but I think this one’s truly up for grabs as well. All of the young participants have had their share of mind-blowing dunks and seeing who comes out on top will be an absolute joy. Although I fear my reputation of jinxing the Jazz, I’m still going to go ahead and pin Donovan Mitchell to come out on top. His in-game dunks this year where he’s cocked his arm back and thrown it down with his head at the rim have been scintillating. With no defense in sight and time to prepare, I can only imagine what incredible jams he’ll conjure.

2/18 NBA All-Star Game

Admittedly, the actual All-Star Game itself typically is my least favorite event of the weekend. They’ve tried to mix things up this year, eliminating the East-West format and allowing two captains to select their teams, but I still don’t see it being all that competitive. Team LeBron has lost several of his selections to injury, causing the team to look like a shell of its former self, but given the fact that they have both LeBron James and Kevin Durant who are largely accepted as the two best players in the world, I believe that they’ll find a way to combine for enough points to beat Team Stephen.

Prediction – Team LeBron 174, Team Stephen 168

Between a chance to log an astounding 11-game win streak and the excitement surrounding NBA All-Star Weekend, particularly Donovan Mitchell’s participation, Week 18 should be a thrilling one for Utah Jazz fans. Their play of late has put them well within striking distance of a playoff spot, meaning that the latter half of the season following the All-Star Break will be an absolute joy to behold!

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