The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz Week 16 Outlook: Jazz face tough test vs. familiar foes

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 23: The Utah Jazz celebrates during the game against the Denver Nuggets on January 23, 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 23: The Utah Jazz celebrates during the game against the Denver Nuggets on January 23, 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) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JANUARY 21: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers goes to the basket against the Utah Jazz on January 21, 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 21: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers goes to the basket against the Utah Jazz on January 21, 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) /

1/30 Utah at Portland

8:30 pm MT – ESPN

Opponent record: 31-20

Season series: Jazz lead 2-1

The Utah Jazz absolutely dominated the Portland Trail Blazers in the two teams’ first pair of contests. But in round three, Blazers star Damian Lillard clearly said enough is enough and had himself a great game. Dame went off for 26 points on 50 percent shooting from the field to put an end to the Blazers’ two-game slide against the Jazz.

But the real story for Portland was the performance of Jusuf Nurkic, who had even more of a bounce-back than Lillard and dominated Utah and their defensive anchor Rudy Gobert. Nurkic feasted for 22 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and six blocks. Gobert, meanwhile, had just 10 points.

It was an odd result between the two big men, considering that Gobert had the upper hand in the prior two contests. If the Jazz are to arise victorious this time around, they’ll have to find a way to get back to slowing Lillard and also win the battle of the paint against Nurkic as they did in the first two meetings.

Both teams will head into this game well-rested as the Jazz have been off since Sunday and the Blazers have been off since Saturday. Playing inside the hostile confines of the Moda Center, this one is certain to be a major challenge for Utah, especially as the Blazers aim to knot the series back up at two games apiece.

Even so, call me crazy, but I think the Jazz are going to pull it off. Had it not been for a disappointing third quarter last game, the Jazz would likely be 3-0 against the Blazers. Consider that said contest was Ricky Rubio‘s first game back from injury and, the Jazz seemed to have a tricky time assimilating back with him for that one game, but have been playing excellently in the three contests since, and I have a good feeling about the upcoming matchup.

I foresee Utah riding the momentum from their three-game win streak and capitalizing on the success they had versus Portland earlier in the year to emerge victorious yet again in this battle, taking the season series 3-1.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 114, Portland 110

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