The J-Notes
Fansided

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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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 01: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets celebrates after a three point shot in the first half against the Chicago Bulls at Toyota Center on December 1, 2018 in Houston, 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. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 01: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets celebrates after a three point shot in the first half against the Chicago Bulls at Toyota Center on December 1, 2018 in Houston, 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. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

12/6 Utah vs. Houston

8:30 pm MT – TNT

Opponent record: 11-11

Season series: Tied 0-0

When this game was originally scheduled to be played on TNT, it was likely presumed to be a playoff rematch between two titans in the West. Instead, it’s shaping up to be a ho-hum bout between two teams that have wildly under-achieved up to this point. Though the Rockets got off to a worse start than the Jazz, they’ve started to right the ship quicker than Utah has.

Houston’s struggles have coincided with the absences of Chris Paul and James Harden, and as we all predicted this offseason, their defense has been considerably worse than a year ago. In fact, they’re just 26th in the league in defensive rating at a mark of 111.8.

They’ve also had a relatively easy schedule of late, but haven’t really been able to capitalize. Though they’ve won two straight, destroying both Chicago and San Antonio, before that they lost to the Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers. Big-time ouch.

So, much like has been the question for Utah all year long, the most unpredictable aspect of Thursday’s game is which Rockets team is going to show up? They still throw up the most threes of any team in the league, but are at an ugly percentage of just 34.5 percent. They still have James Harden who’s capable of going off and Chris Paul who’s known for killing the Jazz, but that doesn’t change the fact that they’ve simply been wildly inconsistent this year.

In other words, from where we’re currently sitting, this looks like a toss-up. However, I’m pinning the Rockets to win this one. They create a tough match-up for the Jazz, as we saw in last year’s playoffs, and as off as Houston has looked, Utah has looked worse.

Though fans had hoped to see this be a joyous revenge bout for the Jazz, I have a feeling it’s going to yet again end in disappointment.

My Prediction: Rockets Win

Final Score: Houston 120, Utah 113

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