The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz Week 26 Outlook: Will final two games of season hold any bearing?

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 29: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz celebrates a basket during a game against the Washington Wizards at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 29, 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. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 29: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz celebrates a basket during a game against the Washington Wizards at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 29, 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. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 28: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz drives is fouled by Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center on February 28, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 28: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz drives is fouled by Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center on February 28, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

4/9 Utah vs. Denver

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

Opponent record: 53-27

Season series: Jazz lead 2-1

Under normal circumstances, I would love Utah’s odds in this contest. The Jazz happen to match up extremely well against Denver and especially on the Jazz’s home court, I’d pick them to have the edge. Especially considering that the Nuggets are just a mediocre 20-20 away from their home court, there’s a lot to like about Utah’s odds in this contest.

And as much as I’d like to see Utah put the hurt on an elite team right before the start of the postseason, the reality is that they may not be all that motivated, especially if they see Houston on the verge of a victory over OKC, whereas the Nuggets need a win to avoid the risk of sliding out of the second seed.

On the flip side, the Jazz may want vengeance on a Nuggets team that appeared to purposely lose their most recent bout against the Blazers, a fact that increased the odds of Utah and Houston facing off in the first round. Furthermore, there’s been rumors that Denver may rest some players once again. Though that wouldn’t make much sense if they want to keep the two-seed, perhaps they truly are concerned about players being fresh and rested for the postseason.

In analyzing and trying to balance all this, as I said, it’s really anyone’s guess who wins this game. However, I’m going to go ahead and give Denver the edge as they definitely have more to play for than the Jazz. If Utah loses to Denver and still needs a win to avoid Houston, they can seek to get it in the next game. If Houston wins on Tuesday, then this game will have no bearing on the Jazz, nor will the next one.

As such, expect this game to be little more than an ugly late regular season game in which I expect Denver to emerge on top.

My Prediction: Nuggets Win

Final Score: Denver 108, Utah 104

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