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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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MIAMI, FL – NOVEMBER 12: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half at American Airlines Arena on November 12, 2018 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – NOVEMBER 12: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half at American Airlines Arena on November 12, 2018 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

12/2 Utah at Miami

4:00 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/League Pass

Opponent record: 7-12

Season series: Tied 0-0

Like so many teams in the Eastern Conference so far this year, the Miami Heat are another one that’s been oddly erratic. At times they’ve looked solid, but at others they’ve looked downright pathetic. That inconsistent nature has them at five games under .500 and 3-7 in their last 10.

Oddly enough, the Heat are another team that has given the Jazz some trouble recently. Utah lost both contests to Miami a season ago in disappointing fashion. Any team coached by Erik Spoelstra is going to work hard and be competitive, so the Jazz certainly can’t be caught napping in this one.

That’s especially true considering some of the talented personnel they boast. Josh Richardson has looked like a star so far this year. Goran Dragic is as good a point guard as they come. Dwyane Wade is proving he still has plenty of juice left in the tank. Hassan Whiteside can be a problem down low and several of Miami’s role players are dangerous as well.

Oddly enough, the Heat are the polar opposite of the Nets, with the league’s ninth best defensive rating and the 25th ranked offensive rating. In other words, they can give opposing teams problems defensively, but the question is whether they can generate enough points to win themselves. This has historically been an issue for the Jazz as well, so this could end up being a gritty battle. When all is said and done, though, I think we’ll see Utah come out on top.

The Heat have some talent, but they’ve had a tough time putting the pieces together this season. I know Utah will be fatigued with this being their final game of yet another lengthy trip, but I still think they’ll find a way to outwit what’s been an inconsistent Miami squad.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 92, Miami 86

Next. NBA Northwest power rankings: Utah Jazz scuffling through 20 games. dark

So, once again, I’m leaning towards optimism. Let’s hope it pays off better than it did last week. Though the Jazz continue to travel at an excessive rate, none of their opponents this week are that foreboding, assuming the Pacers are down some players due to injury. As such, I truly like their chances of going 3-1 as I’ve indicated here.

They found success bringing Derrick Favors off the bench on Sunday, and assuming Mitchell gets back in action this week, they could truly start to make up some ground in Week Seven. Then again, if they revert back to former poor habits, the exact opposite could be true.

It’s still tough to gauge this Jazz team, but I have a feeling that Jazz fans will like what they see after Week Seven as I’m pinning Utah to log a winning record for the week.

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