Utah Jazz Week Three Outlook, Predictions

Nov 6, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Utah Jazz small forward Gordon Hayward (20) dribbles the ball up court against the New York Knicks during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Utah won 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

The Utah Jazz looked much improved in week two, improving their record to 4-3, and will look to keep momentum during a tough road trip.

Last week started out with a bang as the Utah Jazz ran away with a victory over the Spurs in San Antonio, contrary to what I had predicted. Utah maintained momentum in the second night of a back-to-back by defeating the Mavs before falling to the Spurs in the rematch contest on Friday night.

Fortunately, Utah was able to end the weekend on a high note with a solid victory over the New York Knicks on the road in a game that saw Gordon Hayward make his 2016-17 season debut.

While I pessimistically had the Jazz going 1-3 for the week, they shamed me for my doubting and went a solid 3-1, improving their overall record to 4-3. For my part, I correctly selected two out of four contests to go 2-2 and even up my “pick-em” record with that of the Jazz’s at 4-3.

I’m sure the suspense over who will finish on top is almost too much to handle.

HIGHLIGHTS // Jazz 114, Knicks 109 ????????????#UTAatNYK pic.twitter.com/eupIdJn8VK

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 6, 2016

Anyhow, Utah seems to be on a roll. And while playing five straight games in a row on the road is always tough (the final four of those will be this week), the level of talent of Utah’s opponents is by no means overwhelming and if they continue to play like they did on Wednesday and Sunday, then they could very well sweep the week.

However, that would be a very tall order, particularly with so much travel between games and as Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors continue to work their way back into game shape. Thus, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Jazz hit a snag or two along the way.

Here’s a look at next week’s opponents and what’s in store for the Jazz as they finish out this first road trip of the season.

Dec 28, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Trey Lyles (41) defends Philadelphia 76ers guard Ish Smith (1) during the first half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

11/7 Utah at Philadelphia

5:00 pm MT – NBATV

Opponent record: 0-5

Season series: Tied 0-0

While no game is a “gimme” in a league of professionals, this one is about as close as it gets. Though the Sixers were projected to be at least a little improved this season, so far it’s been more of the same for this beleaguered team that currently sits at 0-5.

In Philly’s defense, three of their five losses have been extremely close most notably their Saturday contest against the Cleveland Cavaliers in which the 76ers lost by a narrow 102-101. The Cavs led big in that game but let their foot off the gas in the final period and allowed the Sixers to nearly fight their way back.

Philadelphia was led in that game by Joel Embiid, who has been a definite bright point on the team so far, with 22 points followed by the recently acquired Ersan Ilyasova who put in 21 off the bench.

hNov 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) react after Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mike Dunleavy (3) falls after loosing control of the ball during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Cleveland Cavaliers won 102-101. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

But the fact that rookie Embiid and the veteran Ilyasova who has only logged two games with the Sixers are the team’s two leading scorers says a lot about the struggles Philly is having so far. There’s some talent on this team, but it’s inconsistent and not nearly prominent enough to handle a deep team like the Jazz.

The only way I see Utah (or most any team for that matter) losing to this Sixers squad is if they get complacent and in essence fall asleep at the wheel for a game. While that will almost certainly happen a few times this season, I don’t see it happening to the Jazz in Monday’s bout. Utah should win this one handily.

Yes, it will be their second game in as many nights, but they found a way to bring energy to the early contest against New York and the back-to-back against the Mavs so I expect they’ll easily be able to do so against a lackluster team such as Philadelphia.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 105, Philadelphia 87

Jan 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) controls the ball while being guarded by Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) in the second half at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Jazz in two overtimes 124-119. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

11/9 Utah at Charlotte

5:00 pm MT – Root Sports/League Pass

Opponent record: 4-1

Season series: Tied 0-0

The Charlotte Hornets have gotten off to a surprisingly good 4-1 start with their only loss coming to a formidable Celtics team by a mere six points. While they haven’t had any victories that could be considered a statement win, per se, they’ve looked good in their four wins even though the two most recent ones came against the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers.

The key for the Jazz to be able to beat the Hornets will be slowing down Kemba Walker who has been far and away their best player so far this year. Walker is averaging a stout 26.3 points per game on the season. Even Nicolas Batum, the second leading scorer, comes in much lower at 15.5.

And the bad news is that Walker has been historically very effective against the Jazz. In last season’s double overtime victory over Utah, Kemba posted a career-high and franchise-high 52 points.

However, this time around the Jazz will have experienced and formidable George Hill to slow down Kemba Walker as well as Dante Exum waiting in reserve. It’s also reassuring that while the Jazz lost a double overtime thriller to the Hornets last year on the road, Utah was able to manhandle them in the next contest at home by a score of 102-73.

Nevertheless, the Hornets boast a great deal of solid talent and a tremendous coach in Steve Clifford. This game will be much more challenging than the games against the Knicks and Sixers and especially on the road, Utah will have to be at their best to win.

But I also think that Charlotte’s 4-1 record is a bit misleading. Utah is a more daunting match-up than any of the teams that the Hornets have played so far (except arguably the Celtics) and while it will very likely be a tightly contested game, I believe the Jazz will find a way to come out on top.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 89, Charlotte 86

Dec 3, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) and Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) chase a loose ball in the first half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

11/11 Utah at Orlando

5:00 pm MT – Root Sports/League Pass

Opponent record: 3-3

Season series: Tied 0-0

The Orlando Magic are one of the stranger squads in the league this year with an overwhelming number of bigs on their roster. Many thought that a group that included Serge Ibaka, Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, and Bismack Biyombo simply would not be able to co-exist on the same team.

Through the Magic’s first three games, that looked to very much be the case as they started out the year 0-3. Nevertheless, since then the Magic have won three straight under the guidance of new defensive-minded head coach Frank Vogel.

Nov 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel calls play as he huddles up against the Washington Wizards during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Magic currently boast a top-ten defensive team with enough size and length to frustrate any opponent.

However, their three wins were all over middling opponents, so it remains to be seen whether the Magic are truly on the upswing or if the latest slate of games was just a fluke. If they are to keep playing at the high level that they have been, they’ll need to continue to be the beneficiaries of big games out of Evan Fournier who is currently the Magic’s leading scorer at 18.2 points per game.

In the Magic’s recent win over the Sacramento Kings, Fournier exploded for 29 points on 10 of 15 shooting.

The Magic swept the Jazz last year in embarrassing fashion, so Utah will be looking to redeem themselves this year and I truly expect them to do so. Orlando’s length hasn’t exactly translated over into offensive prowess and the Jazz are easily able to counter with size of their own that is much more talented.

The Magic figure to have to deal with a lot more growing pains so far this season while the Jazz are quickly becoming a cohesive unit. I could be surprised in this one, but I’m expecting a sizable Jazz victory.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 98, Orlando 85

Jan 9, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) dribbles the ball around Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow (20) during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won 98-83. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

11/12 Utah at Miami

6:00 pm MT – Root Sports/League Pass

Opponent record: 2-3

Season series: Tied 0-0

Miami is another one of those teams with a lot of question marks surrounding them this year. They have some good pieces, but don’t figure to be one of the elite teams in the East (then again, is there any elite team in the East besides the Cavs?).

They posted solid wins over the Kings and the Magic and have been in each game that they lost. Hassan Whiteside has been an absolute animal this season averaging a team-high 20 points, an astounding 14.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. Gobert and Favors will most definitely have their hands full with him and it’s likely that their performances will directly decide the game’s outcome.

Goran Dragic and Tyler Johnson have also been solid for this Heat team that features a lot of athletic wings and of course a solid rim protector and rebounder in Whiteside.

Yet under normal circumstances, I would definitely give the Jazz the edge over the Heat talent-wise. However, since this will be the final game of a long five-game road trip and the Jazz will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back immediately after playing a physical Magic team, I expect that Miami will likely take advantage of a fatigued Utah squad and send them home with a loss in their final game of the trip.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Utah found a way to win if they’re able to come out with energy and contain Whiteside, but considering the rough week they’ll have ahead of this contest, it seems like a tall order to presume the Jazz will come out on top.

My Prediction: Heat Win

Final Score: Miami 100, Utah 91