Boozer's out, my predictions

Of all the good big men in the league, the Jazz get the one with glass legs.

You guessed it, Carlos Boozer is hurt.

I'm not positive but I think its a bruised knee that's sidelining him this time. Whatever it is, its an injury that usually takes 4-6 weeks to recover from. If you would have asked me a week ago what that meant for the Jazz I would have told you it was serious trouble. Even though the team's schedule in the upcoming weeks is fairly weak they were barely playing .500 ball and were consistantly loosing to inferior opponents with Boozer in the lineup. What could they possibly do sans the team's sole all-star?

Assuming Boozer would be out the rest of the year (I know its a stretch but come on, we're talking about Carlos Boozer here; he could be out one month for a hang-nail) I went through the remaining Jazz schedule and made my predictions. I had them going 17-19 and only 4-12 on the road. That would leave them with a season record of 45-37, still good enough to make the playoffs but who knows if that would be good enough for home court advantage in the first round.

But then Utah beat San Antonio, Phoenix and Chicago in its first three games without Boozer. Yes you read that right: San Antonio, Phoenix and Chicago WITHOUT Boozer. The team that has struggled to find its identity and solidify its rightful spot among the leagues contenders beat arguably the best team in the Eastern Conference and two of the three best from the Western Conference. And they beat the Suns in Phoenix to take a 3-0 season series lead. Who could have imagined that the same team that lost to the Grizzlies, Sonics, Warriors, Bobcats, and Knicks also gave the Suns 3 of their 10 losses. Trust me, I'm just as baffled as anybody.

Although I picked them to beat the Bulls, I did have them losing to the Spurs and Suns. So far I'm 1-2, but I'm still going to stick with my predictions and even post them here so I am accountable for them. Keep in mind I made these picks assuming that Boozer would not be playing. When (or should I say 'If'?) he recovers from his injury I'll redo them.

(updated February 23, 2007)
x = incorrect prediction, o = correct prediction
Date Opponent My Prediction My record
1-31-07 x Spurs L 0-1
2-3-07 x @Suns L 0-2
2-5-07 o Bulls W 1-2
2-10-07 o Knicks W 2-2
2-12-07 o Hawks W 3-2
2-14-07 x Cavaliers L 3-3
2-20-07 x @Trailblazers W 3-4
2-23-07 @Nuggets L
2-24-07 Celtics W
2-26-07 Lakers L
2-28-07 Grizzlies W
3-2-07 @Timberwolves L
3-4-07 @Hornets W
3-5-07 Bobcats W
3-7-07 Pacers W
3-10-07 Hornets W
3-13-07 @Heat L
3-14-07 @Magic L
3-16-07 @76ers W
3-17-07 @Cavaliers L
3-20-07 Warriors W
3-23-07 @Clippers L
3-24-07 Grizzlies W
3-26-07 Wizzards L
3-28-07 Timberwolves W
3-30-07 @Spurs L
4-1-07 @Rockets L
4-4-07 @Trailblazers W
4-6-07 @Kings L
4-7-07 Sonics W
4-9-07 @Warriors L
4-11-07 Nuggets L
4-13-07 @Mavericks L
4-14-07 Suns L
4-16-07 Trailblazers W
4-18-07 Rockets L

Predicted Home w/o Boozer: 13-7
Predicted Away w/o Boozer: 4-12
Predicted Record w/o Boozer: 17-19