Utah Jazz Weeks 17 and 18 Outlook: Can Jazz enter ASB on a high note?

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 19: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors defends against Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of a NBA game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 19, 2018 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. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

2/12 Utah at Golden State

8:30 pm MT – TNT

Opponent record: 37-15

Season series: Tied 1-1

Speaking of Rudy Gobert revenge, I can’t wait to see what takes place in next Tuesday’s bout between Utah and Golden State. After Gobert broke into tears upon describing a touching conversation with his mother about missing the All-Star Game, Warriors players Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala were quick to take to Twitter to mock him.

Gobert ultimately got the last laugh with a hilarious clap-back at Green, but that doesn’t change the fact that these two are likely to engage in heated battle in this contest. Green is no stranger to antics and foolishness on the basketball court and I wouldn’t be surprised to see he and Rudy bring their off-court jabs onto the hardwood.

Hopefully Gobert will get the better of that matchup whenever he finds himself up against Green. But unfortunately, I ultimately am pinning the Jazz to fall short in this one. They’ve played the Warriors about as good as any other Western Conference team this season, losing to them in a buzzer beater in the first contest then toppling them in the second bout.

Still, Golden State has been playing at another level recently having won 12 of their last 13 games, many of which have come in commanding fashion. Meanwhile, as we saw in Week 16, the Jazz are struggling against elite squads to the degree that it’s hard to feel confident for them going against an elite juggernaut like the Warriors.

Perhaps at this time, the Jazz roster will feature some new faces that will spark them to momentum and victory, but from where we’re sitting now, I’m feeling less than optimistic about the Jazz’s chances.

My Prediction: Warriors Win

Final Score: Golden State 122, Utah 101

Next. Utah Jazz: 25 years of the best (and worst) trade deadline deals. dark

The Jazz are getting ample rest with just three games in these final two weeks before the All-Star Break, then will enjoy some nice time off during the All-Star festivities. Hopefully they’re able to enter the break on a high, recover from whatever the trade deadline brings, then take momentum into the final important stretch of the season leading into the playoffs.

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