The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz Week Seven Outlook: Are the Jazz in for a change of fortune?

By Jared Woodcox

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 19: Donovan Mitchell #45 and Ricky Rubio #3 of the Utah Jazz talk in the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 19, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 19: Donovan Mitchell #45 and Ricky Rubio #3 of the Utah Jazz talk in the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 19, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 01: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during their game at Spectrum Center on November 1, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 01: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during their game at Spectrum Center on November 1, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

11/30 Utah at Charlotte

5:00 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/League Pass

Opponent record: 9-10

Season series: Tied 0-0

The Jazz have struggled in Charlotte in recent years as they’ve failed to win a game there since the 2013-14 season when the team was still named the Bobcats. That’s right, since the team has brought back Buzz City, the Jazz have failed to beat the Hornets in Charlotte.

A big part of that has been because of the prolific play of Kemba Walker who continues to be sensational yet again this season. He’s currently fourth in the NBA in scoring at 28.2 points per contest and is knocking down shots at an incredible clip of 45.5 percent from the field and 38.6 percent from deep. He’s been nothing short of a superstar this season with several incredible outpourings, including a 60-point explosion against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Unfortunately for Kemba and the Hornets, though, they’ve been extremely up and down this season, earning some big wins but also several disappointing losses. That’s largely the result of the team having to lean and rely on Walker so dang much. They have some other solid guys such as Malik Monk and Jeremy Lamb, but overall, Kemba just doesn’t have the supporting cast or depth around him that the team needs to be a constant threat.

Even so, this could be a tough one for the Jazz as they’ve had a hard time containing opposing point guards this season, and Walker can certainly be one of the toughest to stop. Considering that as well as the fact that Utah has a history of struggling in Charlotte, and I have a feeling that Kemba and Co. will get the better of a Jazz team that still has yet to prove that it’s playing its best basketball.

My Prediction: Hornets Win

Final Score: Charlotte 102, Utah 97

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