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Utah Jazz: Five games to watch during the 2018-19 season

By John Keeffer

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 27: Alec Burks #10, Ricky Rubio #3, and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz stand for the National Anthem before Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 27: Alec Burks #10, Ricky Rubio #3, and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz stand for the National Anthem before Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 2: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts after scoring the game winning basket against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 2, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 2: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts after scoring the game winning basket against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 2, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

December 25, 2018: Portland Trail Blazers vs. Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz will be playing an NBA basketball game on Christmas Day.

Just let that soak in…

I guess we have Donovan Mitchell to thank for this. Last Christmas, Mitchell tweeted out that he wants to see a Jazz game on Christmas in the future. Lo and behold, here we are! We can also thank him for his becoming a star, as that almost certainly played into the decision by the schedulers.

https://twitter.com/spidadmitchell/status/1027045431325290496

Much like the NFL and Thanksgiving, the NBA has long dominated Christmas Day. It has always been reserved for biggest stars and the best teams in the league. So for the Jazz to have a game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Christmas really is a huge deal.

The matchup should be great as well. The Trail Blazers were the number 3 team in the West last season, just one game ahead of the Jazz. Although they are largely running it all back, similar to the Jazz, many are predicting that they will drop in the standings. Las Vegas’ Westgate Sportsbook set the Blazers over/under at 41.5 wins, seven games below what they accomplished last year.

Next. Utah Jazz alums: Greg Ostertag helping to revive old Texas town. dark

They’ll be looking to use that as motivation, and with CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard, you always have to bring your A-game. The Jazz split the season series last year against the Blazers, winning the first two, and losing the last two.

The game will be played in Salt Lake City, and it is the first time in 20 years that the Jazz have played on Christmas. If I were you, I’d know exactly what I am asking Santa Clause for Christmas this year.

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