The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz Week 23 Outlook: Four-game road trip vs. lottery squads

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 27: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz celebrates during the game against the LA Clippers on February 27, 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 - FEBRUARY 27: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz celebrates during the game against the LA Clippers on February 27, 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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BOSTON, MA – MARCH 16: Trae Young (11) of the Atlanta Hawks reacts to a play during the game against the Boston Celtics on March 16, 2019 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MARCH 16: Trae Young (11) of the Atlanta Hawks reacts to a play during the game against the Boston Celtics on March 16, 2019 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3/21 Utah at Atlanta

5:30 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/League Pass

Opponent record: 24-46

Season series: Jazz lead 1-0

It become something of a running joke (albeit a painful one) last year that the Jazz simply couldn’t handle the Atlanta Hawks. Despite the young Hawks boasting the worst record in the Eastern Conference a season ago, they defeated the Jazz in both meetings.

Much of this can be attributed to the crafty coaching of former Hawks coach (and current Milwaukee Bucks coach) Mike Budenholzer, who knew his former colleague Quin Snyder all too well. But beyond that, the feisty Hawks team played with a relentless effort and created less than favorable matchups for the Jazz across the board.

In the first meeting this season between the two teams, it almost looked as if Atlanta was primed to do so yet again considering that they took a two-point lead into the locker room at the half. Thankfully, the Jazz came out focused in the second half to outscore Atlanta 70-52 to come away with a 16-point win.

However, that doesn’t mean it will be so easy this time around. Of all the lottery-bound teams, the Hawks are among my favorites as they’re undeniably not in the lower tier of the NBA due to lack of effort or focus, but rather simply due to youth and inexperience. What I mean is, this Atlanta squad brings it night in and night out and rarely, if ever, falters due to lack of competitiveness.

As such, don’t be surprised if they come in confident, knowing they beat the Jazz twice last year, and give Utah all they can handle. Trae Young has been electric of late and has slowly but surely begun to vindicate the Hawks for going with him over Luka Doncic in last summer’s draft. John Collins has been prolific all season long and continues to be the leading scorer for Atlanta.

And considering that this game will be the second contest of a back-to-back for the Utah Jazz, I feel as though it has all the feel of a trap game. The Jazz are most certainly more talented than the Hawks, but this one has trouble written all over it. Therefore, while I truly think the Jazz should win this game, I’m going to go out on a limb and say this is where they’ll falter this week, bringing a presumed five-game winning streak to a screeching stop.

My Prediction: Hawks Win

Final Score: Atlanta 103, Utah 101

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