Predicting the outcome of every Utah Jazz game in December
Predicting every December Utah Jazz game, Dec 18-31
December 18 vs Washington Wizards: Loss
Boy, we just don’t like the Jazz’s odds of getting past the Wizards, do we?
In this case, the Jazz will be on the second part of a back-to-back, having played the Spurs the night before. Meanwhile, the Wizards will have had a day’s rest after a duel with the Phoenix Suns on the 16th.
The Wizards are a strong enough team for that to matter. We’d love the Jazz’s odds against this club in an (extremely unlikely) playoff matchup, but we’re predicting a pair of losses to them in the last month of 2021.
December 20 vs Charlotte Hornets: Win
Following that predicted loss to the Wizards, the Jazz get a day to get their bodies and minds right before a battle with the Charlotte Hornets.
Look for the Jazz to come away with a victory here. The Hornets are an interesting young team, but they’re not in the same category as the Utah Jazz. Meanwhile, they’re at a bit of a matchup disadvantage in terms of combatting Rudy Gobert. Mason Plumlee is a solid rotational player, but he’s not exactly likely to keep the Stifle Tower awake at night.
The Hornets also like deploying the 6’7 PJ Washington as a small ball center. As you probably know, that’s a strategy that has worked against the Jazz in the past. We’re expecting the young combo big to struggle against Gobert, and if his ability to shoot draws Gobert out of the paint, the Jazz are more equipped to counter that strategy with offseason addition Rudy Gay in the fold.
December 23 vs Minnesota Timberwolves: Win
Speaking of stretch bigs who can draw Gobert out of the interior, Karl Anthony-Towns doesn’t even sacrifice size in the process of doing so. We like the Jazz’s chances against his team anyway.
The Timberwolves are an intriguing young squad that looks poised to give their fanbase something they’ve seldom experienced: a trip to the playoffs. That’s all well-and-good, but the Utah Jazz have their eyes set on a much deeper postseason run. This is a simple case of good vs better, and the Jazz fall on the latter side of that equation.
December 26 vs Dallas Mavericks: Win
The Dallas Mavericks roster an all-world talent in Luka Doncic, a resurging Kristaps Porzingis, and some quality role players. That’s a fair bit, but it hasn’t looked like enough to get on the same level as the Utah Jazz.
The Mavs are actually only a spot behind the Jazz in the Western Conference, sitting fourth with a record of 11-9. However, the gap in their records suggests a sizeable gap between these two teams.
If Porzingis’ three-ball is falling consistently, he could give the Jazz some trouble by spacing the floor. Luckily, Jason Kidd has seemingly preferred to put the 7’3 Latvian on the low block throughout this season. Rudy Gobert and the Utah Jazz would encourage him to continue doing so.
December 27 vs San Antonio Spurs: Win
We’re not going to waste many words here. We’ve already established why the Spurs should be an easy out for the Jazz. Yes, this contest comes on the wrong side of a back-to-back. Look for the talent advantage between these teams to nullify that advantage for the Spurs.
December 29 vs Portland Trail Blazers: Win
If what happened last time the Jazz faced the Blazers is any indication, this should be another win for the boys in Salt Lake City. The Utah Jazz destroyed a healthy Blazers squad 129-107 just days before this article was written.
Granted, the Blazers could be turning a corner by December 29. They’re still adjusting to the offensive principles of rookie Head Coach Chauncey Billups, and it’s hard to say how long that process will take. The Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum backcourt has kept this Blazers squad dangerous for some time, and they have ample time to regain that form this season.
We’d still put our money on them not developing to a point where they’re a serious threat to the Utah Jazz.
December 31 vs Minnesota Timberwolves: Win
Again, we find little value in explaining our prediction about the same team three times. The Jazz are deeper, more experienced, and all together better than the Timberwolves. They should beat them thrice in December.
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Out of the 14 games the Jazz play in December, we’re predicting 11 victories. That optimism stems from a weak schedule for a strong team. If they can make good on this prediction, they should look like true contenders by the time we’re ready to ring in 2022.