The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz at Minnesota Timberwolves: Keys to an undefeated road trip

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 13: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves yells while being defended by Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz during the second half of the 109-98 loss by the Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on November 13, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 13: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves yells while being defended by Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz during the second half of the 109-98 loss by the Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on November 13, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MARCH 2: Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 2, 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 2: Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 2, 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) /

Prediction – Jazz 116, Timberwolves 106

This will be a true test for the Jazz as the Minnesota Timberwolves can present a challenging matchup and are solid on their home court. However, considering the team’s dysfunction, the struggles thus far of Karl-Anthony Towns, their lack of depth and the fact that Utah’s defense tends to thrive against teams that rely too heavily on one player (in this case Jimmy Butler), I’m picking the Jazz to come out on top.

They split the season series with Minnesota last season, including splitting both the home and away contests, but overall the Jazz tend to enjoy success over the Timberwolves. Utah’s starters will need to play much better in Minnesota than they did in Dallas on Sunday and the Jazz bench will need to continue to step up to take advantage of a lackluster T-Wolves second unit, but I’m fully confident that they can do so.

As long as Utah comes out with high energy, takes advantage of rested legs and excels in the three aforementioned key areas, I see no reason why they shouldn’t topple an unstable Timberwolves team.

Next. Utah Jazz: Will Georges Niang continue to get minutes over Thabo Sefolosha?. dark

This game tips off on Halloween night (Wednesday) at 6:00 PM MT.

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