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Utah Jazz 2017-18 Week 22 Outlook, Predictions

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 11: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz reacts during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 11, 2018 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 11: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz reacts during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 11, 2018 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
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DETROIT, MI – MARCH 9: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons exits the arena after the game against the Chicago Bulls on MARCH 9, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – MARCH 9: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons exits the arena after the game against the Chicago Bulls on MARCH 9, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)

3/13 Utah vs. Detroit

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

Opponent record: 30-36

Season series: Jazz lead 1-0

The Detroit Pistons were right in the thick of battling for a playoff spot when they engaged in a blockbuster trade that added Blake Griffin to their ranks. With his addition, many presumed that the Pistons were set to surge and easily work their way into the playoff mix. When Griffin first joined the team, Detroit rattled off four straight victories and it looked like such was very well set to be the case.

However, it’s been all downhill for them from there.

Since that initial four-game spurt, the Pistons have gone an awful 3-10, bringing their record with Blake Griffin to a middling 7-10. That poor play has dropped them six games below .500 and a whopping five games behind the eighth place Milwaukee Bucks. With just 16 games left in the regular season for Detroit, it’s looking less than likely that they’ll have the steam to force their way into the playoffs.

But their struggles are likely a good sign for the Utah Jazz who are in dire need of as many wins as they can get as they look to claw their way into the postseason mix. The Jazz won a thriller over Detroit earlier in the season as they ended up needing overtime to finally escape by a narrow three points.

Last season, the Jazz matched up extremely well against Detroit as they sent them to a pair of lopsided losses, and while this season’s earlier bout was a close one, I expect Utah to have a significant advantage over the Pistons while playing on their home court in Salt Lake City. Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond will be a handful, but outside of those two, Detroit doesn’t have much to write home about, particularly among the ranks of their lackluster bench.

Combine the Pistons’ struggles and lack of depth, Utah’s recent success and an overall good matchup for the Jazz, and I expect a big win for the home team. Detroit is the most talented team that Utah will face this week, but they should still be more than capable of coming out on top against an under-performing Pistons team.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 112, Detroit 97

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