The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Top 3 hardest stretches on the 2019-20 schedule

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 20: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz reacts to a foul called on him in the second half of Game Three during the first round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 20, 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 20: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz reacts to a foul called on him in the second half of Game Three during the first round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 20, 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 16: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz talks to Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the third quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on November 16, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Jazz 113-107. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 16: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz talks to Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the third quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on November 16, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Jazz 113-107. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

The first 22 games (especially the conclusion of the stretch)

Although the Jazz don’t have a November or December as grueling as we’ve seen the past two seasons, they’ll still definitely find themselves being heavily tested right off the bat. During their first 22 games, they’ll play 13 contests against nearly sure-fire playoff teams including the Los Angeles Lakers (twice), LA Clippers (twice), Philadelphia 76ers (twice), Milwaukee Bucks (twice), Golden State Warriors (twice), Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers, and Toronto Raptors.

That’s undoubtedly a tough slate regardless of location or situation. Add in the fact that the Jazz will have four back-to-back sets during that stretch, and it makes things look all the more difficult. Not only that, but when the Jazz aren’t playing likely playoff teams, they’ll be playing dangerous upstarts and playoff hopefuls such as the Oklahoma City Thunder, Sacramento Kings, Minnesota TImberwolves and New Orleans Pelicans.

The only true pushover games they’ll have during that run is the Phoenix Suns in the fourth game of the year and the Memphis Grizzlies a pair of times.

To make matters even worse, the most daunting part of the first 22 games comes near the conclusion of that stretch from November 25 – December 2. In that week, the Jazz will embark on a five-game road trip that will see them play Milwaukee, Indiana and Memphis before concluding with a deadly back-to-back in Toronto then in Philadelphia.

The 76ers have gotten the better of the Jazz in every contest since Donovan Mitchell entered the league, much to the satisfaction of some of the over-zealous, Ben Simmons-loving, Donovan-hating Sixers crowd. Considering the tough circumstances in which the Jazz find themselves in this one, they may very well drop yet another game to Simmons, Joel Embiid, new Sixer Al Horford, and Co.

In short, don’t be surprised if the Jazz get off to a less than riveting start out of the gates. Not only are their first 22 games likely their hardest such stretch of the year, but considering that Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert and Joe Ingles are all participating in international play this summer, those guys may be a little fatigued to begin the season.

The good news, though, is that after a December 4 contest against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Jazz enjoy a comfortable December with several of their tough games already behind them and a favorable remaining schedule ahead. And as tough as those first 22 games are, they’re nothing compared to what Utah has faced in November and December of the past two seasons, so that in and of itself merits a sigh of relief.

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