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Utah Jazz Week 13 Outlook: Jazz can continue climb up standings

By Jared Woodcox

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 05: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz celebrates late in the game with Ricky Rubio #3 while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on January 05, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Utah won the game 110-105. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 05: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz celebrates late in the game with Ricky Rubio #3 while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on January 05, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Utah won the game 110-105. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 04: Head coach Jim Boylen of the Chicago Bulls reacts in the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at the United Center on January 04, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 04: Head coach Jim Boylen of the Chicago Bulls reacts in the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at the United Center on January 04, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

1/12 Utah vs. Chicago

8:00 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/League Pass

Opponent record: 10-29

Season series: Tied 0-0

The Utah Jazz will conclude the week going up against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. The Bulls have been a team in turmoil as they recently fired head coach Fred Hoiberg and current coach Jim Boylen has had some issues getting things to click with his squad.

Prior to their current three-game losing streak, the Bulls had been playing somewhat better as they’d won three of four contests. However, they’re still quite young and very much under-equipped to compete with the league’s best, so this is a game the Jazz should be able to win quite handily.

True, it’s a second night of a back-to-back for the Jazz, but it is as well for the Bulls except they’ll be even worse off since they’re on the road. The Bulls come into Salt Lake City after playing the Golden State Warriors in Oakland the night before at 8:30, meaning they’ll have an extremely quick turnaround and a flight whereas the Jazz can rest easy in their own beds after taking on the Lakers.

The Bulls have some dangerous young guns in the likes of Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen, to name a couple, that simply can’t be overlooked, so the Jazz will have to be well-prepared for this bout. However, considering that the Bulls have the NBA’s worst offense and put up the fewest points per game, the Jazz defense should be able to crush them, especially on a road back-to-back.

This game is a perfect example of Utah’s schedule finally starting to ease up and level out, and Jazz fans should expect them to take full advantage.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 97, Chicago 89

Next. Utah Jazz: At this point, LeBron unlikely to play when Lakers come to SLC. dark

Thus, I indeed have the Jazz going 3-1 this week. The contest in Milwaukee will be a great test of Utah’s will, and an upset victory would be inspiring. But even if they don’t get that one, the Jazz should be in a great spot to rack up three straight wins after the fact.

Doing so will put them two games above .500 and, depending what else the Lakers manage to do this week, it could very well put Utah at eighth in the West, back in the playoff mix with plenty of basketball left to play wherein they can continue to surge up the standings.

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