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Utah Jazz Week 24 Outlook: Jazz face chance at statement week

Jared Woodcox|
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 18: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz smiles before the game against the Washington Wizards on March 18, 2019 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images (EDITORS NOTE: Multiple exposures were combined in camera to produce this image)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 18: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz smiles before the game against the Washington Wizards on March 18, 2019 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images (EDITORS NOTE: Multiple exposures were combined in camera to produce this image)
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SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 23: Jimmer Fredette #32 of the Phoenix Suns gets hyped during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 23, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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 Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 23: Jimmer Fredette #32 of the Phoenix Suns gets hyped during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 23, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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 Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

3/25 Utah vs. Phoenix

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

Opponent record: 17-57

Season series: Jazz lead 2-0

Although the Jazz-Suns contest on Monday night should be packed due to the fact that every remaining game is vital to Utah’s playoff push, it may ultimately be packed for another and more groan-worthy reason. Namely, the Suns recently signed former BYU standout and widely coveted (by one portion of the Jazz fanbase anyway) player Jimmer Fredette for the remainder of the season.

This feels like more of a ploy by the Suns to hopefully sell more tickets to see a crappy team before the season’s end than it feels like a true strategic move, but time will tell if Fredette can finally make an impact in the league. I’ve never been much of a believer of his skills translating over at the NBA level due to his non-existent defense and lack of offensive athleticism and repertoire, but he can certainly shoot with the best of them so perhaps he’ll find his niche.

The addition of Fredette notwithstanding, this is a game the Jazz ought to dominate. They’ve done so with ease in both matchups against the Suns so far this season, and there’s no reason why they shouldn’t a third time. Other than perhaps the familiarity that Phoenix coach Igor Kokoskov has with Quin Snyder’s crew, the advantages the Suns have are few and far between. Therefore, with this being such a favorable matchup for Utah, I’m expecting a big win.

This isn’t the last time the Jazz will face the Suns this season, as the two teams will do battle one more time down the stretch, adding further solid truth to the notion of Utah having an extremely easy conclusion to the 2018-19 season.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 118, Phoenix 100

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