The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz Week 19 Outlook: Jazz face grueling post-ASG slate

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 21: The Utah Jazz celebrate after a play during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers 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: The Utah Jazz celebrate after a play during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers 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) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – FEBRUARY 11: Paul George #13 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on after the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 11, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – FEBRUARY 11: Paul George #13 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on after the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 11, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2/22 Utah at Oklahoma City

7:30 pm MT – ESPN

Opponent record: 37-20

Season series: Thunder lead 2-0

The Utah Jazz put up one heck of a fight against the Oklahoma City Thunder last time around, but ultimately an abysmal third quarter and a stellar 43-point outing from Paul George turned out to be too much. PG has been on an absolute tear of late, and the Jazz have struggled mightily against the Thunder in the regular season the past couple years. Hopefully Utah can capture some of last season’s playoff magic and arise victorious over OKC on Friday.

Unfortunately, I have a feeling that’s going to be easier said than done. The Thunder came into All-Star break winning 11 of 13 contests. While Paul George has been their catalyst, Russell Westbrook‘s insane triple-double streak can’t be ignored either. He’s riding a record 11 straight games with such a stat line, and as a result has his Thunder squad firing on all cylinders.

The Jazz did a phenomenal job against Westbrook in the last meeting, holding him to just eight points on 3-of-17 shooting while preventing him from reaching double-figure assists. But obviously, George walked all over them to counterbalance Brodie’s off night.

For the Jazz to arise victorious, they’ll need to put up a gutsy defensive performance and find a way to stop both. Oh yeah, then there’s also that Steven Adams guy they have to worry about. Adams has given Rudy Gobert fits in the past, and will likely be yet another thorn in Utah’s side once again.

I’d love to see Utah come out strong and get the post-All-Star break started out on a high note. However, I’m feeling less than optimistic that such will be the case. I expect the Thunder to continue their surge and, especially on their home court where Utah has struggled, prove to be too much for the Jazz.

My Prediction: Thunder Win

Final Score: OKC 112, Utah 105

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