The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz Week Eight Outlook: Can Jazz turn things around with brief home stand?

By Jared Woodcox

The Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade (3) sits on the ground after being fouled by Utah Jazz's Rudy Gobert (27) with the score tied at 100 as Utah's Ricky Rubio (3) argues the call on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Fla. (Patrick Farrell/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)
The Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade (3) sits on the ground after being fouled by Utah Jazz's Rudy Gobert (27) with the score tied at 100 as Utah's Ricky Rubio (3) argues the call on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Fla. (Patrick Farrell/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images) /
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SAN ANTONIO, TX – DECEMBER 2: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a free throw during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on December 2, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – DECEMBER 2: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a free throw during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on December 2, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /

12/4 Utah vs. San Antonio

7:00 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/NBA TV

Opponent record: 11-12

Season series: Tied 0-0

The DeMar DeRozan era in San Antonio has had some good moments, but overall the Spurs are looking like a shadow of their former selves so far this season. Gregg Popovich appears frustrated, the reliance on the mid-range games of DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge is a less than stable approach and a formerly staunch defense is getting lit up this year.

The Spurs are currently second to last in the NBA in defensive rating at an appalling 112.4, which is almost hard to believe considering how stingy they’ve been on that end of the court in the Popovich era. Considering that the Jazz have had a hard time scoring on several opponents on many occasions this year, ideally facing off against a lackluster Spurs D will help them find an edge.

The other tidbit that’s odd about the Spurs is that they are the league leader in 3-point percentage at an incredible 38.9 percent. Especially for a team figure, that’s excellent. However, remember how I mentioned an over-reliance on their mid-range game? Despite knocking down threes at an impressive clip, they’re also hoisting up the second fewest attempts from the perimeter per contest.

On one hand, that means the Spurs are getting good looks and knocking them down when necessary. Personally, I enjoy that style of basketball (and so does Gregg Popovich apparently) more than the mere run and gun heaving threes style that’s become so predominant, but to thrive in today’s NBA, a happy medium has to be found. The Spurs have yet to find that so far.

Honestly, it’s anybody’s guess how the Jazz will perform on any given night and who they can actually beat. However, I’m liking their chances on Tuesday. I think they’ll be anxious to turn things around on their home court, and the Spurs are a meager 4-8 on the road so far this season, so that could be a recipe for success.

What does worry me is how bad Utah has been at home and the fact that their defense is engineered to force teams into mid-range shots, which is what the Spurs personnel loves. If they play defense like they did against the Pacers last Monday, leaving mid-range shooters open time after time, the Spurs will likely earn an easy victory.

I still believe the Jazz have the advantage in this one, but as they’ve shown several times this year, if they fail to execute, it’ll be a long night.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 108, San Antonio 99

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