The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz Week 25 Outlook: Jazz eyeing home court in first round

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 26: Kyle Korver #26, Donovan Mitchell #45 and Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz celebrate there team win during an open practice at Zions Bank Basketball Campus on March 26, 2019 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 - MARCH 26: Kyle Korver #26, Donovan Mitchell #45 and Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz celebrate there team win during an open practice at Zions Bank Basketball Campus on March 26, 2019 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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CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 30: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket against Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz during their game at Spectrum Center on November 30, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 30: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket against Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz during their game at Spectrum Center on November 30, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

4/1 Utah vs. Charlotte

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

Opponent record: 35-41

Season series: Jazz lead 1-0

A part of me thinks this one could be a challenging bout for the Jazz as the Charlotte Hornets will be fighting for their playoff lives. Another part of me thinks the Hornets may be resigned to the fact that they’re practically out of the hunt already and destined to miss the postseason yet again.

Mathematically they’re still alive at just three games out of eighth place in the East. However, with a difficult schedule ahead, the Orlando Magic standing between them and the eight spot and odds looking slim, they may already be feeling somewhat dejected.

Charlotte’s best shred of hope went out the window when they lost in disappointing fashion to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night by a score of 129-115. From there, the Hornets followed that up with an embarrassing whooping from the Golden State Warriors on Sunday where they fell 137-90.

They’ll be heading to Salt Lake to play on the second night of a back-to-back from there which is far from a favorable situation. All-Star Kemba Walker had one of his worst showings of the season at Oracle Arena on Sunday as he went just 4-of-14 for a meager nine points. That could mean that he’ll be primed for a major bounce-back game against the Jazz, who he’s enjoyed considerable success against in the past. Or it could mean that the Hornets are already down for the count.

While a talent like Kemba can never be counted out, and Charlotte has some other exciting guys, considering that their playoff hopes are all but extinguished at this point, that they’ll be playing on the second night of a back-to-back and that that they’re an atrocious 11-26 on the road, I’m pinning the Jazz to win in an exciting game.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 112, Charlotte 108

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