The Utah Jazz had another successful week.
The Jazz went 2-1, with important wins over divisional rivals, after a bit of a disheartening loss to Portland on Monday. The Jazz bounced back with an emotional victory over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday on national television, before surviving a late rally from the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday due to some late game heroics from Rudy Gobert on the defensive side of the ball.
The Jazz got Ricky Rubio back from injury in time for their game against Portland, despite the loss. Rubio posted 12 and 17 points in his first games back from injury, before another down performance against Minnesota that saw him record just six points on 2-10 shooting. Rubio’s consistency will have a major impact on how the Jazz finish the season. If Rubio can rebound to the player he was to end each of the last two seasons, finding his three point shot and scoring consistency, the Jazz will again compete for a Western Conference finals appearance. If Rubio struggles to find that consistency, the Jazz may need to look to find an upgrade for the guard in the offseason
The Jazz are still awaiting the return from Dante Exum, who has missed the last three weeks with an ankle injury, as well as Thabo Sefolosha and Raul Neto, who have missed similar time.
The Jazz will play Minnesota Sunday night, before traveling to Portland on Wednesday night, then hosting the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, and the Rockets on Saturday.
