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
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.