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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CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 14: Rodney Hood #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 14, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 14: Rodney Hood #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 14, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1/4 Utah at Cleveland

5:30 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/League Pass

Opponent record: 8-29

Season series: Tied 0-0

The Jazz will see a 180-degree turn in their opponents from the first game of the week to the second as they’ll go from facing one of the best teams in the conference to one of the worst. The Cleveland Cavaliers have been an absolute mess this season, from the early firing of Tyronn Lue, to injury to Kevin Love, to a drastic lack of talent.

As such, they’ve only been able to put together eight measly wins thus far on the season, good for the worst mark in the Eastern Conference. The Cavs have lost six in a row leading up to this contest which just shows how much they’ve struggled.

However, the Jazz will be facing some familiar faces in this game as they’ll be going up against former Jazzmen Rodney Hood and Alec Burks, the latter of which was just traded this season for Kyle Korver. Considering that Utah moved on from both players, don’t be surprised to see both of them looking for a bit of revenge. That kind of situation for a team with nothing to lose can make for somewhat of a trap game, so the Jazz will have to be focused.

They’ll also have to watch out for Larry Nance Jr., who’s been playing quite well of late, Jordan Clarkson, who is the team’s leading scorer outside of the injured Love, and budding rookie Collin Sexton, who continues to improve in his first season in the league. Although the Cavs have some weapons worth watching out for, along with a likely determined Hood and Burks, I still expect Utah to come out on top quite easily.

This Cleveland team simply has too many shortcomings to be able to handle a team like the Jazz, especially considering that Utah will be coming in off of two days of rest. Expect a big-time win for the Jazz in this one.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 120, Cleveland 98

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