Predicting Disney: Utah Jazz

Predicting Utah’s Trip to the Magic Kingdom

We’ve all had an up-and-down 2020, and the Jazz are no exception. Utah had a rollercoaster of a season prior to the NBA’s COVID pause.

Hopes were high with offseason acquisitions Mike Conley and Bojan Bogdanovic, further growth from rising star Donovan Mitchell, and continued excellence from reigning two-time Defensive Player of the Year winner Rudy Gobert. Still, Utah struggled out of the gate.

Utah’s season was marred by inconsistency, injuries, and huge upswings between their best and worst play. That said, the team did bring in microwave scorer Jordan Clarkson and Emmanuel Mudiay to bolster the team’s bench.

The Jazz fought their way to fourth in the Western Conference with a 41-23 record. However the main storylines heading into Utah’s trip to Disney are not particularly positive.

Firstly, the team’s second leading scorer Bojan Bogdanovic - averaging a career high 20.2 points per game - underwent season-ending wrist surgery, leaving a gaping hole in the Utah offense. Mike Conley and his wife are expecting a baby due in August, which could further hurt the club’s rhythm.

This puts more pressure on Utah’s leading stars, whose relationship has become a focal point for the team. The two seemed to have a falling out, but have reportedly buried the hatchet. Said Mitchell in July, “Right now we’re good. We’re going out there ready to hoop.”

The boys are ready; let’s hop in.

Eight Game Schedule for Utah

July 30th vs. New Orleans Pelicans - Prediction: Loss

With the Jazz potentially needing time to restructure their offense without Bogdanovic, and the Pelicans already pushing the Jazz in their previous encounter in January, this looms as a tough first game for Utah.

Bogdanovic’s absence will also place more pressure on Joe Ingles and Royce O’Neale to handle the forward combination of Zion Williamson and Most Improved Player candidate Brandon Ingram, which could eventuate in a loss for the Jazz.

August 1st vs. Oklahoma City Thunder - Prediction: Win

The last time these two teams were set to face off, in a matter of moments the NBA season was turned on its head, as Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19.

With a budding rivalry between the Jazz and OKC, this is set to be a fierce encounter. After opening up their Disney adventure with a loss, expect Mitchell and Gobert to rally their teammates, and get Utah’s first win in Orlando. Also expect Joe Ingles to get under someone’s skin.

August 3rd vs. Los Angeles Lakers - Prediction: Loss

Yeah, this one may get a little rough for the Jazz. Suffering a nine point loss in their previous encounter in October, and a whopping 96-121 loss in the second, the Jazz do not match up well with the Lakers.

LA will be without defensive guard Avery Bradley - good news for Mitchell. Still, a refreshed and re-energized LeBron James may run riot over many a team in Orlando, including the Jazz..

While the battle between Gobert and Anthony Davis will be exciting, the Lakers may run away with this one. However, a bench shootout between Dion Waiters/JR Smith and former Laker Jordan Clarkson? Sign me up.

August 5th vs. Memphis Grizzlies - Prediction: Win

It’s Memphis’ future vs their past, with Ja Morant going up against Mike Conley. The current eighth seed in the Western Conference, Memphis’ young and rising squad have been one of the surprise packets of this season.

Utah is currently 2-1 against the Grizzlies this season, with two comfortable wins and one single-point loss. While Morant will be seeking to lead his squad to a playoff berth, expect Mitchell to come out and assert his dominance with an explosive game.

August 7th vs. San Antonio Spurs - Prediction: Win

The Jazz have lost both games against the Spurs this season, by seven points in January and nine points in February respectively. In that February contest LaMarcus Alrdridge initially injured his right shoulder, which eventually needed season-ending surgery.

With their second-leading scorer out of action, the 12th placed Spurs should be one of easier opponents for Utah, at least on paper. With tough matchups to follow, the Jazz need Gobert to dominate the paint in Aldridge’s absence and get a much needed victory.

August 8th vs. Denver Nuggets - Prediction: Loss

Two of the premier centers go head-to-head in this contest, with an interesting clash between Gobert and Nikola Jokic. In two games this season, Jokic has given Gobert 28 and 30 point games, meaning Gobert needs to put in an improved performance for the Jazz to win.

Add in the fact Mitchell has struggled against Denver this season, scoring just 22 points across two contests, and things are looking bleak for the Jazz here.

August 10th vs. Dallas Mavericks - Prediction: Loss

Separated by just 2.5 games in the standings, Utah’s collective mettle will be seriously tested by the Dallas Mavericks. Bogdanovic’s absence will be felt, with the Croat usually filling essential switching abilities on defense against a player like Kristaps Porzingis.

The Jazz have beaten the Mavericks on both occasions this year in close games, with Mavs star Luka Doncic absent in the second contest. While another close game is on the cards, the Mavericks will greatly benefit from Bogdanovic’s absence and get the W in this one.

August 13th vs. San Antonio Spurs - Prediction: Win

It wouldn’t be out of the question to see Mitchell potentially play fewer minutes or miss this game entirely. With an eye on playoff success, we may see Clarkson play more minutes in this contest, as the Jazz tune up for the postseason.

Whichever way Snyder and his staff choose to approach this contest, the Jazz need to put the Spurs away again, with the middle of the Western Conference so tight.

Predicted final regular-season record: 45-27

All statistics courtesy of Basketball Reference