Utah Jazz 2017-18 Week 25 Outlook, Predictions

LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 30: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers is introduced prior to the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 30, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

4/3 Utah vs. Los Angeles Lakers

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

Opponent record: 33-43

Season series: Jazz lead 1-0

It’s been a long time since the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers have seen one another, as their only contest of the season thus far came back on October 28 while the season was still young. The Jazz were able to win that contest quite handily by a score of 96-81, but of course a lot has changed for both teams since that point.

After a poor start to the season which saw the Lakers go just 11-24, they began to turn it around in a big way at the start of 2018. They went 8-7 in January and an impressive 7-3 in February before coming back down to earth in March by going 7-8. They’ve recently lost seven of their last ten and seem to be reverting back to the norm that we saw at the beginning of the season.

They’re coming off a disappointing loss to the Sacramento Kings on Sunday and haven’t defeated a team in the current playoff mix since they surprised the Cleveland Cavaliers back on March 11. Still, the Lakers boast plenty of young talent and mustn’t be overlooked. Julius Randle and rookie phenom Kyle Kuzma have been particularly exceptional of late and Utah will need to keep them both in check.

The Lakers are out of playoff contention, but are too far above the tanking teams in the standings to be concerned with dropping games to improve their draft pick, so expect them to continue to play hard for pride and to allow their young starters to keep garnering valuable NBA experience. The Jazz boast a much deeper and more talented team, particularly with injuries to Lakers players Isaiah Thomas and Brandon Ingram, but if caught unaware, the contest could result in a disappointing loss.

Fortunately, I don’t foresee that happening. Not only have the Lakers been slumping of late, but the Jazz appeared refocused and re-energized in Sunday’s victory over the Timberwolves. If they’re able to maintain that same level of play back on their home court on Tuesday, they should easily be able to topple a lackluster Lakers team.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 106, Los Angeles 94