The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz Week 12 Outlook: Jazz usher in new year on the road

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 27: The Utah Jazz celebrate during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on December 27, 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 - DECEMBER 27: The Utah Jazz celebrate during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on December 27, 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) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 2: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors looks on against the Utah Jazz during a pre-season game on October 2, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arenaa 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 – OCTOBER 2: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors looks on against the Utah Jazz during a pre-season game on October 2, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arenaa 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) /

1/1 Utah at Toronto

5:30 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/NBA TV

Opponent record: 27-11

Season series: Raptors lead 1-0

The last time the Utah Jazz faced off against the Raptors, it wasn’t a very good representation of either team. That’s because the Raps were without superstar Kawhi Leonard while the Jazz were without leading scorer Donovan Mitchell.

Even so, the Jazz were thoroughly outmatched as they fell to a Raptors team playing on the second night of a back-to-back by a score of 124-111. It was a disheartening effort as a well-balanced Toronto team easily got the best of Utah, even on their home court.

Last season, the Jazz pulled off a magnificent win in Toronto that helped turn their season around. Ideally, they’ll be able to pull off something similar here, but I kind of doubt it. The Raptors have looked every bit a powerhouse and a strong candidate to emerge out of the East to make the NBA Finals. Though they’ve cooled a bit lately, going 6-4 in their last ten games to slip behind the Milwaukee Bucks in the standings, they’ve still been formidable across the board.

With Kawhi Leonard leading the way with a whopping 26.7 points per game and guys like Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka and a well-rounded starting and bench unit supporting him, the Raptors have been daunting foes for all who have opposed them. I have a feeling that the Jazz will find such to be the case, just like they did back in November.

As much as I’d like to see the team that showed up in both recent contests against Portland be the Jazz team that shows up in Toronto, I’m not banking on it. Utah has struggled to step up in several big games and while their road record is a respectable 10-11, I’m not expecting them to pull this one off against a championship contending Raptors squad.

My Prediction: Raptors Win

Final Score: Toronto 110, Utah 103

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