The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz Week 22 Outlook: Jazz in danger of slipping to eighth with busy slate

By Jared Woodcox

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 6: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz celebrates after the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on March 6, 2019 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 6: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz celebrates after the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on March 6, 2019 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 8: Russell Westbrook #0 and Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder stand for the National Anthem before the game against the LA Clippers on March 8, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 8: Russell Westbrook #0 and Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder stand for the National Anthem before the game against the LA Clippers on March 8, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3/11 Utah vs. OKC

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

Opponent record: 40-26

Season series: Thunder lead 3-0

For more of my thoughts on this bout between the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder, be sure to check out my recent preview piece. In a nutshell, though, although the Thunder own a 3-0 lead over the Jazz this season, each bout has been highly competitive, and I expect this battle to follow suit.

Last game took two overtimes to decide and one of the only reasons that the Thunder were in it at all was because Russell Westbrook went on an other-worldly streak, knocking down an uncharacteristic six three-pointers en route to victory. If Utah can force him into an efficient night, somehow slow down the red-hot Paul George and find a way to win the battle of the bench, then I like Utah’s odds.

The Thunder are 3-7 in their last 10 bouts, but Utah hasn’t been much better considering they’ve dropped two of their last three against lackluster opponents. With both teams coming off a loss, expect this to be a heated contest especially considering the bad blood that exists between each of them.

I like Utah’s chances on their home court and I’m excited to see Dante Exum back in action, but based on what the Jazz have shown us thus far, I’m giving a slight edge to the Oklahoma City Thunder as they aim to continue their climb into the top three of the Western Conference standings.

My Prediction: Thunder Win

Final Score: OKC 118, Utah 115

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