1/27 Utah at Minnesota
5:00 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/League Pass
Opponent record: 21-24
Season series: Timberwolves lead 1-0
Utah Jazz fans will get a double dose of the Timberwolves this week as the next and final game of the week will take place against Minnesota yet again, this time on the road.
This is still one that I’d like to see the Jazz win, and I believe they’re entirely capable of doing so. However, we also know how tough it can be to face the same team twice in a week, let alone twice in three days. The T-Wolves have been significantly better at home than on the road with a 15-8 record versus 6-16.
Not only that, but as much as I want to be sold on the idea that the Jazz have sorted things out and are back on track, I’m still not fully convinced. Therefore, I wouldn’t be one bit surprised to see them falter in this contest, and that’s precisely what I’m predicting to happen.
My Prediction: Timberwolves Win
Final Score: Minnesota 99, Utah 92
Therefore, despite the Jazz winning their last six games, I’m predicting them to go a pedestrian 2-2 this week. Honestly, I think they’re capable of defying the odds and doing much better than that, but I could also see them coming back to earth and doing worse. Either way, with how tightly contested the West is, every game counts, so hopefully the Jazz will find a way to do better than I’ve projected and keep themselves within a comfortable striking distance moving forward.