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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 17: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets dribbles the ball pursued by Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz in the second half at Toyota Center on December 17, 2018 in Houston, Texas. 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 17: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets dribbles the ball pursued by Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz in the second half at Toyota Center on December 17, 2018 in Houston, Texas. 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

2/2 Utah vs. Houston

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

Opponent record: 29-20

Season series: Jazz lead 2-1

The Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets will tip-off on Groundhog Day which is quite appropriate. Between last year’s playoffs and three contests already this season, it feels like we’ve seen a lot of the Rockets of late. Much like in the series against the Blazers, Utah dominated the first two meetings, but fell short in the most recent contest, this time due to a catastrophic second quarter.

The Jazz played well in that second half, though, and showed some encouraging signs of being able to compete with Houston. Now, with Clint Capela still on the mend, Rudy Gobert should thrive in the contest and Utah may very well be able to take care of business on their home court. Fortunately for Utah, this will be a back-to-back for both teams, with Houston coming in after a tough road game in Denver the night before while it’s a home back-to-back for the Jazz.

Then again, with Chris Paul back in action after a lengthy absence due to injury, the Jazz will probably have their hands full.

In short, this is a contest I could truly see going either way. With how magnificently Harden has played of late, it’s hard to see the Jazz figuring out a way to slow him down, especially if Dante Exum, who’s been a sturdy defender against Harden in games past, remains down for the count.

If the Rockets are road-weary and struggle without Capela to tangle with Gobert, then the Jazz could very well come out on top. But if Harden continues to dominate and Paul is in a groove by this point, they’ll likely knot up the season series.

Unfortunately, I’m leaning towards the latter taking place this time around. That tandem of Harden and Paul have caused all kinds of problems for the Jazz in recent contests, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see that occur yet again.

My Prediction: Rockets Win

Final Score: Houston 103, Utah 96

Next. Utah Jazz: Georges Niang has been surprisingly effective in crunch time. dark

So I’ve got the Jazz at 2-1 in what will be a critical week. If they prove me wrong and go 3-0, beating both Portland and Houston who are above them in the standings, it would be incredible for their positioning moving forward. Let’s hope my trend from a week ago keeps up and the Jazz continue to do much better than I’m expecting.

Home/Jazz News