5 games the Utah Jazz need to win


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SALT LAKE CITY — The Jazz might only win 30 or so games, but they need to win games to show that the promise of the future is real.

This season might be about tanking and going for a top pick in the draft, but the young players need to at least show something or the next generation might be a short one.

With that in mind, here are five games the Jazz need to win to keep faith high.

New Orleans Pelicans, from left, Jason Smith, Ryan Anderson, Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday model the team's new NBA basketball uniforms Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013 in Metairie, La. (AP Photo/The Advocate, Eliot Kameitz)
New Orleans Pelicans, from left, Jason Smith, Ryan Anderson, Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday model the team's new NBA basketball uniforms Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013 in Metairie, La. (AP Photo/The Advocate, Eliot Kameitz)

1. New Orleans Pelicans in Salt Lake City, Nov. 13: The Pelicans are a team on the rise, and this might be a game that the Jazz want to lose for the lottery battle. However, if the Jazz can't beat a rising team at home, they will really be looking for answers early in the season. The Pelicans have Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday, Tyreke Evans and Ryan Anderson as a group that will be a great measuring stick against the Jazz's young core. Throw in a healthier Eric Gordon, and the Pelicans are a team of the future.

This game is all about confidence. The Jazz could realistically start the season 2-5, and if they lose this, a really bad November could cripple the team.

2. Charlotte Bobcats in Charlotte, Dec. 21: The Bobcats are going to be pretty bad again this season. Last year, the young players cruised to a big win behind a 20-20 game from Enes Kanter. Now Al Jefferson, mentor to Kanter and Derrick Favors and defensive sieve, is with the Bobcats, and Kanter could very well have a bigger game than last year.

The Jazz need to beat Big Al and his new Bobcats teammates in Charlotte.
The Jazz need to beat Big Al and his new Bobcats teammates in Charlotte.

If the Jazz can't get a win on the road in this game, the culture could be shot. While the Jazz will be losing a lot of games, they will need to win games like this on the road to prove to the young guys that there is life outside of EnergySolutions Arena.

3. Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, Jan. 3: This is a swing game for both teams in a sense. Depending on how the playoff or lottery race is shaping up, these two teams could want to win or lose a lot.

Every game against the Lakers is a big game, and this one is still just as important. The Lakers still have length and good core. The young players need to be confident with the bright lights and big names in Los Angeles.

These are games that Jazz teams in the past have lost before the tip. They will need to set the tone for years by winning against a down team.

4. Philadelphia 76ers in Salt Lake City, Feb. 12: The 76ers are widely considered one of the two worst teams in the league. They have Michael Carter-Williams and Nerlens Noel and really nothing else.

The Jazz have a history of losing winnable games. They play down to their competition and let inferior teams hang in. A loss here is simply unacceptable.

Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry celebrates after scoring against the Utah Jazz during the first half in last year's 97-90 Jazz win over the Warriors April 7. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry celebrates after scoring against the Utah Jazz during the first half in last year's 97-90 Jazz win over the Warriors April 7. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

5. Golden State Warriors in Salt Lake City, Nov. 18: The Jazz really want to win any of the games against the Warriors. Since the Jazz own their draft pick, the Jazz want the Warriors to play poorly. This game, though, is really important. It is their sixth home game of the season, and the Jazz could be reeling at this point. The Jazz need to get at least a few wins early in the season, and this might be their best chance to beat a team that is going to finish the season above .500. It is a home-and-home, with this being the second game.

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Jarom Moore

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