March 6th: Utah Jazz vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Remember when we said that the schedule for the Jazz was pretty soft in March?
The Thunder have become synonymous with “tanking” this side of Joel Embiid being drafted. They have a talented young roster: put the emphasis on young.
In a few years, the projection for this matchup may very well swing in the opposite direction. For the time being, look for the Jazz to make short work of the Thunder.
Prediction: W
March 7th: Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks pose a more serious challenge to the Utah Jazz than any other team mentioned here so far. In fact, just a couple of days ago the Jazzmen barely escaped the Mavs in a 114-109 contest.
We’re expecting a similar outcome in this contest. The Mavs seemed more formidable with Kristaps Porzingis. While dealing him in favor of future flexibility could pay off down the road, it will serve the Mavs no benefit on March 7th.
If Rudy Gobert can handle Luka Doncic on switches again, the Jazz should come away with another victory.
Prediction: W
March 9th: Utah Jazz vs Portland Trail Blazers
The Utah Jazz should beat the Portland Trail Blazers in this contest. That holds true if Damian Lillard is available, but it holds doubly true if he isn’t.
The Blazers have every appearance of a team in the middle of a reset. It’s become apparent that Lillard’s supporting cast is insufficient to support his championship ambitions.
As a result, they shipped of several valuable veterans at this year’s deadline in an effort to acquire future focused assets. We’ll see if that strategy pays dividends in 2022-23. It shouldn’t on March 9.
Prediction: W
March 11th: Utah Jazz vs San Antonio Spurs
Spurs point guard Dejounte Murray is having an incredible breakout season. His per game averages of 20.1 points, 9.4 assists and 8,4 rebounds per game have him looking like Russell Westbrook 2.0: The Defense Prototype.
Murray just doesn’t have a ton of help in the Alamo. The Spurs are allergic to rebuilding, but let’s be honest: they’re rebuilding. They have some promising young building blocks on the roster outside of Murray, but none project as likely to put them over in a matchup with the Utah Jazz.
Prediction: W