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Utah Jazz 2018-19 Preseason Outlook, Predictions

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - SEPTEMBER 24: Head Coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz poses for a portrait at media day on September 24, 2018 at the Zions Bank Basketball Campus in Salt Laker 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 - SEPTEMBER 24: Head Coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz poses for a portrait at media day on September 24, 2018 at the Zions Bank Basketball Campus in Salt Laker 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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BENDIGO, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 20: Bryce Cotton of the Perth Wildcats drives at the basket during the NBL Blitz pre-season match between New Zealand Breakers and Perth Wildcats at Bendigo Stadium on September 20, 2018 in Bendigo, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)
BENDIGO, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 20: Bryce Cotton of the Perth Wildcats drives at the basket during the NBL Blitz pre-season match between New Zealand Breakers and Perth Wildcats at Bendigo Stadium on September 20, 2018 in Bendigo, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

9/29 Utah vs. Perth Wildcats

7:00 pm MT – Not televised

Much like last year, the Jazz will get the chance to shake some of their rust off by starting preseason out against a team that’s less daunting than your typical NBA squad. They’ll tip things off against the Perth Wildcats of the Australian National Basketball League.

While the Jazz will be the heavy favorites in this contest, and rightfully so, they can’t afford to get lackadaisical. Former Jazzman Bryce Cotton is a member of this Perth squad and he has established himself as one of Australia’s top players, evidenced by him winning the NBL MVP last season.

He’s a crafty scorer that very well could be on an NBA roster, so expect him to provide a nice first test for the Jazz.

Not only that, but Perth’s Damian Martin is considered a defensive ace that even the likes of Donovan Mitchell may be challenged to score against. In short, there’s some true talent on this Perth team that will help the Jazz get off to a meaningful start in preseason.

But at the end of the day, even with Cotton and Martin providing a solid duo, overall the Wildcats are severely outmatched talent-wise. The Jazz will probably play their younger guys extended minutes and may do some experimentation with different lineups which could keep the score close at some points, but at the end of the day, I expect Utah will come out on top in a big way, getting the 2018-19 campaign off to an ideal start.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 121, Perth 98

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