The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz 2017-18 Week 22 Outlook, Predictions

By Jared Woodcox

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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SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 1: De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings looks on prior to the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 1, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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 the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 1: De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings looks on prior to the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 1, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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 the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3/17 Utah vs. Sacramento

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

Opponent record: 21-46

Season series: Jazz lead 2-0

The final game of the week will be against the Sacramento Kings who the Jazz have handily defeated on a pair of occasions this season. Although their record is slightly better than that of the Suns, they don’t present much more of a challenge and Utah should be able to easily dispatch them, particularly on their home court considering that the Kings are 10-24 on the road.

The Kings are 3-3 over their last six games, though, so they absolutely shouldn’t be counted out. Although they find themselves right in the thick of the tank sweepstakes along with the Phoenix Suns and others, they have some talented young guns who can be dangerous if they get hot such as Bogdan Bogdanovic, De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield.

That’s not to say that any of those guys have the edge over a much more talented Jazz team, but it does mean that Utah can’t get complacent. There’s a good chance that Utah will have an eight-game win streak going into this game, and considering that they’ll have faced two teams with losing records before this game, it’s entirely possible that Utah could overlook the Kings somewhat.

They’ve remained pretty disciplined during this hot streak they’ve been on, so I have a hard time seeing that happening, but it’s still a danger the Jazz will need to avoid. If they’re focused and execute well against a subpar Kings team, though, they should very well end the week on a high note with yet another much-needed victory.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 107, Sacramento 95

Next: Will the return of Kawhi Leonard spell bad news for the Utah Jazz?

So as much as it makes me nervous to be this optimistic for fear of jinxing the Jazz, I honestly feel good about pinning them to go 3-0 this week and extending their streak. Despite some turnover issues, the Jazz have looked really sharp of late and especially considering the lackluster competition they’ll face in Week 22, there’s no reason why they can’t continue to climb and earn a trio of consecutive wins.

However, although the Jazz have two more games against lottery bound teams the following week, things will start to get much more challenging from there as they’ll go up against the San Antonio Spurs (presumably with Kawhi Leonard back in action), the Golden State Warriors and the Boston Celtics in consecutive games. With those difficult contests looming on the horizon, it will be vital that Utah take care of business in the three winnable games they face this week.

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