The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz 2017-18 Week 23 Outlook, Predictions

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 17: Joe Ingles #2 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz high five during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 17, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome 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 - MARCH 17: Joe Ingles #2 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz high five during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 17, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome 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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ATLANTA, GA – FEBRUARY 28: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Atlanta Hawks talks with the media after the game against the Indiana Pacers on February 28 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – FEBRUARY 28: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Atlanta Hawks talks with the media after the game against the Indiana Pacers on February 28 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3/20 Utah vs. Atlanta

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

Opponent record: 20-50

Season series: Hawks lead 1-0

Considering how well the Utah Jazz have been playing of late, one would assume that they would be able to make light work of a 20-50 Atlanta Hawks team that currently finds themselves in dead last in the Eastern Conference. However, that was far from the case the last time these two teams faced off. Back on January 22, Atlanta obliterated the Jazz 104-90 in a disheartening contest that plunged the Jazz nine games below .500 and felt like the season’s rock bottom.

Sure, Utah rattled off an 11-game win streak from there and have won 21 of their last 23 since, so maybe the wake-up call loss was actually a blessing in disguise, but at the time it was ugly.

And while as a whole the Hawks are a less than formidable squad, they have certainly had a knack for playing spoiler this year with a slew of surprising wins such as over the Cleveland Cavaliers (twice), Washington Wizards, Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans Pelicans, Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers. That’s an impressive compilation of victories for a 20-win team.

The fact of the matter is that, while the Hawks are young and low on talent, they’re still well coached by Mike Budenholzer and play a brand of basketball that allows them to sneak up on teams that are caught unaware. If they’re kept unchecked just as they were when the Jazz visited Atlanta, this could turn into yet another disappointing bout.

Fortunately, I have a feeling that game will still be fresh in the minds of this Jazz team and they’ll be looking to get revenge and show that the loss was little more than a fluke. They learned their lesson against the Hawks the hard way and should be ready to go this time around.

Plus, the Hawks are a pathetic 5-28 on the road, meaning that the Jazz should have an even more significant edge inside the friendly confines of Vivint Smart Home Arena. Utah will need to do a much better job against the likes of Dennis Schroder and Taurean Prince if they are to win on Tuesday, but I’m confident that they’ll do just that and make a return to their blowout ways from the previous six games prior to the close call against Sacramento.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 115, Atlanta 91

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