The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz Week 14 Outlook: Can the Jazz keep on rolling?

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 12: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz celebrates with his team during the game against the Chicago Bulls on January 12, 2019 at Vivint Smart Home 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 12: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz celebrates with his team during the game against the Chicago Bulls on January 12, 2019 at Vivint Smart Home 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 29: Tobias Harris #34 and Danilo Gallinari #8 of the LA Clippers look on from the bench during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on December 29, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 29: Tobias Harris #34 and Danilo Gallinari #8 of the LA Clippers look on from the bench during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on December 29, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1/16 Utah at LA

8:30 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/League Pass

Opponent record: 24-18

Season series: Tied 0-0

The LA Clippers have been one of the early NBA darlings through the first half of the season as they reached as high as the number one seed at one point and have been much more effective than many had predicted. Their well-balanced attack and depth that features several capable players has made them one of the more surprising and successful teams in the West.

However, of late the Clips appear to be coming back down to earth in a big way. They’re just 5-5 in their last 10, and since December 1 have only two wins over current playoff teams, one of which was the Los Angeles Lakers (sans LeBron), who are teetering on the edge of falling out of that mix. Other than that, they’ve beat up on a few poor teams and have largely struggled against top talent in the West.

Still, this is a team that the Jazz absolutely can’t afford to overlook. With the eighth best offensive rating in the league and four players averaging 15 points per game or more, they have certainly proven they can keep up with the best of them. Tobias Harris is having an All-Star caliber year for the Clippers at 20.8 points per contest on electric shooting marks of 50.2 percent from the field and 43.3 percent from deep.

Meanwhile, a healthy Danilo Gallinari is having one of the best and most efficient years of his career with 19.5 points per game on splits of 45.4 from the field and a mind-blowing 44.4 percent from deep. Lou Williams continues to do his thing, Montrezl Harrell looks like an under the radar Most Improved Player candidate and even rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has proven to be a reliable weapon for the Clips.

All that said, I’m still going to go with Utah in this contest. As I mentioned, the Clippers have had some issues of late, especially going up against playoff-caliber foes. The Jazz may not be that yet according to the current standings, but I certainly think they are in that category talent-wise. Not only that, but as was proven in the 2017 NBA Playoffs, Quin Snyder knows how to prepare for Doc Rivers, and as such, I think the Jazz will be ready to capitalize against a struggling LA squad.

As good as the Clips were to start the season, they’ve been slipping rapidly down the standings and have had a less than daunting defense all season long. As long as Utah keeps LA’s prolific offense in check and doesn’t fall into a cold shooting slump themselves, this one should be the Jazz’s for the taking.

Playing on the road in Los Angeles will be one of the more challenging aspects for the Jazz, but considering how well they’ve looked of late and how important this game could feel for early playoff positioning, I’m expecting a focused and motivated Jazz team to come out and get the job done.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 113, LA 110

Home/Jazz News