The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz Week 15 Outlook: Can win streak live on vs. stiff competition?

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 18: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz looks on against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 18, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 18: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz looks on against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 18, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 31: Derrick Rose #25 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates a play during the game against the Utah Jazz on October 31, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 31: Derrick Rose #25 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates a play during the game against the Utah Jazz on October 31, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

1/25 Utah vs. Minnesota

7:00 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/League Pass

Opponent record: 21-24

Season series: Timberwolves lead 1-0

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been a team in turmoil this season. First there was the Jimmy Butler saga which ultimately ended in him being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. Then later, the team made an overdue decision to fire head coach Tom Thibodeau – after a win, no less!

They’ve shown a few signs of life here and there, and the Jazz actually trail the season series due to Derrick Rose‘s incredible 50-point outburst the last time these two teams faced off, but this is still a flawed team that the Jazz should be able to topple on their home court.

As good as Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns can be, Wiggins still is an inefficient scorer and poor decision maker, and Towns is still a lackluster defender. With such glaring weaknesses existing in the team’s top two players, it should come as no surprise that they’ve had some struggles this year. Those are flaws the Jazz should be able to expose en route to a victory.

You could honestly make the argument that Derrick Rose has been their best player this season. At 18.9 points per game on shooting splits of 48.2 percent from the field and 44.5 percent from deep, there’s no denying that this has been his best post-injury season by far.

Then again, due to some missed contests, the Wolves have also lost four straight games in which Rose has played, and 10 of their last 12 with him in action. Despite his solid individual stats, those are some pretty condemning figures. Therefore, unless Rose finds a way to pull another 50-bomb out of his pocket somehow, I’d expect the Jazz to take care of business and win this one on their home court.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 119, Minnesota 108

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