The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz 2017-18 Week 25 Outlook, Predictions

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 30: Donovan Mitchell #45 and Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz react during game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 30, 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 30: Donovan Mitchell #45 and Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz react during game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 30, 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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 27: Tobias Harris #34 of the LA Clippers reacts to a play during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 27, 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)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 27: Tobias Harris #34 of the LA Clippers reacts to a play during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 27, 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) /

4/5 Utah vs. LA Clippers

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

Opponent record: 41-36

Season series: Jazz lead 2-1

The LA Clippers are a team that I’ve counted out on several occasions this season, yet they’ve managed to surprise me multiple times. Perhaps they’ll be able to do so once again, but after a costly loss to the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, I feel quite comfortable saying that their playoff hopes are all but dashed.

With just five games remaining in which they’ll take on the San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers, they have to find a way to make up the two games by which they trail the eighth place Pels. It’s still mathematically possible, but to say it’s a long-shot would be a vast understatement.

Still, when looking solely at the individual matchup between Utah and LA on Thursday, this is a game in which the Jazz will need to be extremely cautious. Especially if the Clippers find a way to beat San Antonio in their first game of the week, this is going to be one heck of a hungry and desperate team. That could spell serious danger for the Jazz if the Clippers are determined and fighting for their playoff lives.

Fortunately, the game will also have great significance for Utah’s playoff positioning as well, so expect them to be just as hungry as LA, if not more so. The Jazz played well in their last two contests against the Clippers, earning double-figure victories in both, but the team looks somewhat different now than it did then after trading away Blake Griffin to the Detroit Pistons.

https://twitter.com/LAClippers/status/980640966318141440

The newcomer they’ll have to watch out for the most is Tobias Harris who has been exceptional in a Clippers uniform. Since joining the squad, he’s averaging 19.5 points per game on 47.9 percent shooting from the field and 43 percent from deep. He’s proven himself as a versatile offensive weapon and could be a major impact player for the Clippers in seasons to come.

Perennial sixth man of the year contender Lou Williams is another foe that the Jazz will have to keep tabs on as well. He continues to shine this season putting up 22.6 points per game.

But while the Clippers have been dangerous this season, defeating some formidable opponents and remaining in the playoff hunt far longer than I expected them to, especially after the Griffin trade that many presumed was intended as a tank job, I like Utah’s chances in this bout. Across the board, Utah seems to match up well against the Clips, particularly down low in the battle between Rudy Gobert and DeAndre Jordan.

Not only that, but Utah enjoys significantly more depth than LA, although it should be noted that the likes of Montrezl Harrell and former Jazzman Tyrone Wallace have been playing quite well of late. Still, barring a flat-footed or unfocused performance by the Jazz, I think they’ll have the edge in this one. They are oh so close to clinching a playoff spot, and winning this contest could keep the Clippers off their heels for good, so I believe they’ll come out motivated to earn a nice victory.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 98, Los Angeles 93

Home/Jazz News