SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MARCH 15: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz talks to the media on the court after the game against the Phoenix Suns on March 15, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
With a playoff race that’s about as tight as they come, there are several possibilities for who the Utah Jazz could face in the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs.
With Thursday’s win over the Phoenix Suns, the Utah Jazz not only remained within the Western Conference playoff mix, but also moved up to seventh place. That’s quite an incredible feat for a team that went 19-28 in its first 47 games. Utah’s latest streak of winning 20 if its last 22 games now has them at an astounding 39-30.
But the Western Conference continues to be an absolute mess with just 4.5 games separating seeds 3-10 and only 1.5 separating 4-8. With that being the case, the Jazz still have a shot to climb all the way up in the standings to earn home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Or they could still fall out altogether.
Based on how they’ve played of late and considering the tough schedules of some of the teams around them in the standings, I think the former is much more likely than the latter, but Utah simply can’t take their foot off the gas if they hope to qualify for postseason action and perhaps even earn a favorable matchup in the first round.
Oddly enough, the same goes for pretty much every one of these teams in the 3-10 spots. While some matchups are far less likely than others, such as a bout against the Denver Nuggets or LA Clippers who are currently out of the playoff mix, they’re still possible depending on who may get hot or go on a slump.
And with the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors all but guaranteeing their spots as the top two teams in the West, there’s a chance that Utah could face either one of them if they finish in seventh or eighth.
In other words, that gives Utah nine potential opponents that they could face in the first round of the playoffs (technically the Los Angeles Lakers haven’t been eliminated from playoff contention yet and could meet the Jazz in the first round with a huge win streak and a giant slump from teams ahead of them, but it’s so far from a realistic possibility that I’m not going to address it here).
As such, let’s take a closer look at each of the potential matchups including the odds of them truly happening, how favorable/unfavorable the matchup would be and my prediction for how the Jazz would fare in a series against each team.
Utah Jazz</a> not only remained within the Western Conference playoff mix, but also moved up to seventh place. That’s quite an incredible feat for a team that went 19-28 in its first 47 games. Utah’s latest streak of winning 20 if its last 22 games now has them at an astounding 39-30.</p>
<p>But the Western Conference continues to be an absolute mess with just 4.5 games separating seeds 3-10 and only 1.5 separating 4-8. With that being the case, the Jazz still have a shot to climb all the way up in the standings to earn home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Or they could still fall out altogether.</p>
<p>Based on how they’ve played of late and considering the tough schedules of some of the teams around them in the standings, I think the former is much more likely than the latter, but Utah simply can’t take their foot off the gas if they hope to qualify for postseason action and perhaps even earn a favorable matchup in the first round.</p>
<p>Oddly enough, the same goes for pretty much every one of these teams in the 3-10 spots. While some matchups are far less likely than others, such as a bout against the Denver Nuggets or LA Clippers who are currently out of the playoff mix, they’re still possible depending on who may get hot or go on a slump.</p>
<p>And with the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors all but guaranteeing their spots as the top two teams in the West, there’s a chance that Utah could face either one of them if they finish in seventh or eighth.</p>
<p>In other words, that gives Utah nine potential opponents that they could face in the first round of the playoffs (technically the Los Angeles Lakers haven’t been eliminated from playoff contention yet and could meet the Jazz in the first round with a huge win streak and a giant slump from teams ahead of them, but it’s so far from a realistic possibility that I’m not going to address it here).</p>
<p>As such, let’s take a closer look at each of the potential matchups including the odds of them truly happening, how favorable/unfavorable the matchup would be and my prediction for how the Jazz would fare in a series against each team.</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">DENVER, CO – MARCH 11: <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/chandwi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Wilson Chandler</a> #21 and <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jokicni01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Nikola Jokic</a> #15 of the Denver Nuggets shake hands before the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 11, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Denver Nuggets</h3>
<p>Of all the teams on this list, the Denver Nuggets are probably the least likely squad that the Jazz will face in the first round for the simple fact that they’ve taken the biggest downturn that now has them in 10th place in the West and they therefore may not even qualify for the playoffs. About the only realistic shot of this matchup happening would be if the Jazz surge all the way to third or fourth in the West while the Nuggets turn things around and finish sixth or fifth.</p>
<p>It would be pretty impressive if Utah were to pull off the former of those two requirements. For Denver to hold up their side of the bargain would be nothing short of miraculous. They’re just a game back of the playoffs, but have a tough schedule remaining that starts out with a daunting seven-game road trip which begins Saturday in Memphis.</p>
<p>Not all the teams they’ll face on their trip are tough foes, but being on the road for that many games is a challenge regardless, especially considering how up and down, and at times unfocused, the Nuggets have been this year. That’s been especially true on the road where they’re just 11-21, easily the worst mark of any of the playoff hopeful teams.</p>
<p>They’re also just 5-5 in their last 10, which is why they’ve plummeted down the standings in the closely contested West where there is little to no margin of error. Some of those recent losses have been doozies, such as the defeats to the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers who overcame a late Denver lead to win.</p>
<p>In other words, the Nuggets are not only on the outside looking in, but have appeared weak lately, which leads me to believe they won’t make it into the postseason once the dust settles. But anything could happen, so let’s suppose the Nuggets get hot and the Jazz stay hot and this comes to fruition, is this a matchup Jazz fans should like?</p>
<p>The two teams tied in the regular season series with two wins apiece, but Utah’s two defeats came during their brutal December to early January stretch when the victories were few and far between. The Jazz are certainly a different team since then, and while the Nuggets have some dangerous players, overall I find this a favorable matchup for Utah.</p>
<p>Nikola Jokic is a great player, but Rudy Gobert has tended to do well against him. <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/millspa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Paul Millsap</a> is exceptional as well, but so far his fit in Denver has been iffy. The Nuggets backcourt of <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/murraja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jamal Murray</a> and <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harriga01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Gary Harris</a> is daunting, but their lack of playoff experience could end up being a significant crutch. Denver’s bench is also nothing to write home about and I think Utah will have a solid edge in that department.</p>
<p>And as I said, the Nuggets have been abysmal on the road, including dropping both games in Salt Lake City this year. That’s not a tell-all come playoff time, but it could definitely hurt them as Vivint Smart Home Arena isn’t an easy place to win anyway. Denver could give Utah problems, but at the end of the day, I believe the Jazz would have more going in their favor that would give them the edge.</p>
<p>It’s a long shot that these two will face off in the first round of the playoffs and Denver actually has a ways to go if they even hope to qualify for the postseason, but if things fall together such that these two face off, Jazz fans should feel confident with that matchup.</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 9: <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harrito02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Tobias Harris</a> #34 and <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/willilo02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Lou Williams</a> #23 of the LA Clippers high five during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 8, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>LA Clippers</h3>
<p>The LA Clippers have been one of the more surprising teams since the All-Star break in my mind. Though I have expected them to slow down and drop off on several occasions, they remain firmly in the hunt. They have slipped to just outside the playoff mix at ninth place in the West, but they’re only a game out and have won seven of their last ten.</p>
<p>Much like the Nuggets, though, it’s probably a long-shot that the Clippers will wind up facing the Jazz in the first round as it would require quite a run for both teams. And especially considering how daunting of a remaining schedule they have left that includes several games against heavy hitters, there’s a good chance they’ll join Denver as one of the two contending teams that ultimately comes up short.</p>
<p>Then again, they’ve proven me wrong all season, so who’s to say they won’t continue? Many proclaimed them dead in the water following the <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/griffbl01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Blake Griffin</a> trade, but they’ve actually been even better than they were prior as they’ve posted a 12-6 record since parting ways with him. I’ve always been a big fan of Tobias Harris and he has impressed in LA at 20.4 points per game on 48.5 percent shooting from the field and 41.8 percent from deep.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Lou Williams continues to play like an All-Star with a team-best 23 points per game and a group of players that some may view as rag-tag continues to hum and exceed expectations, especially considering the injuries they’ve had to deal with this season.</p>
<p>The Jazz own the regular season series lead over the Clippers by a count of 2-1, but it’s hard to know who would have the edge in the playoffs as all three of those games took place prior to the Griffin trade and prior to Utah’s incredible run of 20 wins in 22 games. We will likely get a clearer picture of which team has the matchup advantage when they tip-off against one another on April 5 in Salt Lake in a game that could potentially have huge playoff implications for both teams.</p>
<p>My gut tells me that once again this would be a quite favorable matchup for the Jazz, especially based on how they’ve been playing of late. The guys I mentioned previously as well as rim protector extraordinaire <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jordade01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">DeAndre Jordan</a> would be tough to contain, but not particularly overwhelming. And Utah’s depth as well as their coaching, which was in full display in last year’s Quin Snyder-<a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/riverdo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Doc Rivers</a> showdown, would likely help them hold a significant advantage.</p>
<p>Again, this one is far from likely to happen based on the landscape and trends of the Western Conference playoff contenders, and I’ll hold off on passing a final judgement until the Jazz and Clippers face off for that fourth time in April, but initially I’d say this is another where Utah would have a favorable matchup if they were to go up against the Clippers in the first round.</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">SAN ANTONIO,TX – MARCH 13 : <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/leonaka01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kawhi Leonard</a> #2 of the San Antonio Spurs still not playing talks with teammate <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/aldrila01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">LaMarcus Aldridge</a> #12 of the San Antonio Spurs during game against the Orlando Magic at AT&T Center on March 13, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>San Antonio Spurs</h3>
<p>The San Antonio Spurs are one of the more confusing teams to analyze in terms of how they’d match up with the Jazz. On one hand, Utah is 3-0 against San Antonio this year, which is a surprising and impressive accomplishment in and of itself, even with all the injuries and instability they’ve faced this year. Not only that, but prior to the Spurs’ recent two consecutive wins, they had lost 11 of 14 games and looked absolutely out of sorts as they plummeted down the standings.</p>
<p>If the Spurs were going to play like that for the remainder of the season, it’s probable that they wouldn’t even make the playoffs, let alone put up a first round fight against the Jazz.</p>
<p>But this is San Antonio we’re talking about, and counting them out in any fashion feels simply foolish. They appeared to right the ship somewhat in a big win over New Orleans on Thursday and especially if they can get Kawhi Leonard back who has been supposedly nearing a return for some time (although that’s been arguably the most confusing story line in the NBA this season), they could quickly become formidable once again.</p>
<p>The Jazz and Spurs face off in what once again could be a pivotal battle on Friday, March 23, and if Leonard is in action for that game, it could be a nice measuring stick to see if a Utah and San Antonio battle would be a good matchup for the Jazz or not. Then again, it may not be all that indicative as Leonard will certainly still be rusty if he does play, and the Jazz will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back.</p>
<p>In short, the Spurs scare me a little bit just because a Gregg Popovich squad with so much playoff experience is one that should never be overlooked. Despite any regular season struggles, this is a team that knows how to win and they could very well further prove that in a playoff series against the Jazz even after losing the regular season series. Throw a potentially healthy Kawhi Leonard into the mix and they become all the more daunting.</p>
<p>Then again, some have noted that the Spurs look more vulnerable this year than they have for several years, and I would agree with that sentiment. Sure, they could undergo a big turnaround, but they’re quickly running out of time to do that. If San Antonio ends up looking not that different from the team Utah has defeated three times this season, this could actually be a great matchup for the Jazz as they hit them with a little bit of their own medicine – depth, great ball movement, and the ultimate team-first approach.</p>
<p>So I guess you could say I’m pretty undecided about whether or not I like this matchup and it will probably require seeing how the rest of the season plays out before I can make up my mind. A lot could change between now and April 11, but based on where things stand now, there’s actually a decent chance that these two teams could be first round foes.</p>
<p>They’re currently tied in the standings in seventh and eighth place with Utah only being ahead by merit of tiebreaker. If they both close out the season well, a 4-5 matchup is entirely in play, or if one excels while the other does pretty well, the 3-6 matchup could be a possibility as well.</p>
<p>I would prefer the Jazz to play the Spurs over some of the teams that I have yet to cover (more on that in a bit), but due simply to their reputation, coach and the possible return of Kawhi Leonard, they’re certainly the least favorable opponent that I’ve touched on thus far.</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">NEW ORLEANS, LA – MARCH 11: <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/davisan02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Anthony Davis</a> #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during the first half against the Utah Jazz at the Smoothie King Center on March 11, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>New Orleans Pelicans</h3>
<p>The New Orleans Pelicans have been yet another interesting case as many presumed they would be in big trouble after <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/couside01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">DeMarcus Cousins</a> went down with an Achilles injury. The Pelicans had been surging, and in fact logged an impressive win over the Houston Rockets in the very game that they lost Cousins. However, instead of falter, the Pels have actually flourished since then, going 12-8 over that span which included an impressive 10-game win streak.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>At the height of their streak, they climbed all the way to the fourth seed in the West. However, between a missed game from Anthony Davis which resulted in a loss to the Washington Wizards and a pair of unfavorable run-ins with the Jazz and Spurs, who both beat the Pelicans, New Orleans has dropped back down to sixth in the West.</p>
<p>And honestly, while a 10-game win streak is impressive regardless of the opponents, the Pelicans didn’t play the most daunting of foes during that stretch. The Jazz own a 3-1 lead over them this season giving them the tiebreaker, and I really think that Utah would match up extremely well against them in the playoffs.</p>
<p>Sure, Anthony Davis gives any team, including the Jazz, major problems. He’s just that good. However, at least the Jazz have more of an answer for him than most in Rudy Gobert. <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/favorde01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Derrick Favors</a> has also held his own against The Brow on several occasions. In the last contest against New Orleans – a decisive one that gave Utah the tiebreaker – the Jazz were able to overcome Davis’ hot start and hold him scoreless in the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>Considering that Utah and New Orleans are separated by just a half-game, there’s a pretty good chance that these two teams could meet up with one another in the first round, be it in the 4-5 or perhaps the 3-6 matchup. And honestly, considering the substantial likelihood of it, this is actually the matchup that I’m most rooting for.</p>
<p>The Jazz have played well against New Orleans this season and I am confident in Utah’s ability to hold Davis in check and outmatch a lackluster Pelicans bench to win a playoff series against them. Aside from the less realistic matchups of Denver or LA, this is the one I’d most like to see and the one that I’d feel the best about Utah arising victorious.</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 11: <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/townska01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Karl-Anthony Towns</a> #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Minnesota Timberwolves</h3>
<p>The Minnesota Timberwolves are yet another interesting case. They had surged all the way to third in the West, but upon losing <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/butleji01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jimmy Butler</a> they started to slide significantly. They’ve bounced back since then, even posting a big-time win over the Golden State Warriors, but are still just 5-5 in their last ten.</p>
<p>Those results have found them in fifth place with just a half-game lead over the Jazz. The Timberwolves are still a legitimate threat in the West, but honestly, without Jimmy Butler their defense isn’t nearly as formidable and I view them as significantly less intimidating. Minnesota currently holds a 2-1 lead over the Jazz, so the final contest between the two on April 1 will be a critical battle.</p>
<p>If Utah wins that one, I’ll feel a lot better about a potential first-round matchup against the T-Wolves, but for now it makes me a little bit nervous with or without Butler. If he returns, that nervousness will likely cause a shift to feeling less than optimistic.</p>
<p>Karl-Anthony Towns has given Utah problems with his ability to stretch the floor as well as attack the rim. He’s less than daunting on defense, but still is a tough player to match up against. <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/teaguje01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jeff Teague</a> was also solid in these two teams’ last meeting, so I think a first-round series against the Wolves would be a major challenge.</p>
<p>Then again, their bench is weak as head coach Tom Thibodeau tends to over-rely on his starters and this could give Utah a significant edge. If Butler remains out, that will require young, inexperienced players such as Towns and <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/wiggian01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Andrew Wiggins</a> to carry a significant load that I don’t know if they’re ready for, especially considering the discipline problems they’ve struggled with in the past.</p>
<p>The last contest between the Jazz and Wolves got pretty chippy, so expect the game on the 1st to have a playoff feel and if these two did face off in the playoffs, it would likely be a heck of a series, but it’s also one that makes me quite nervous. I’d obviously take a matchup against the Wolves over the likes of Golden State, Houston and perhaps the Spurs with a healthy Kawhi, but they certainly worry me more than some other teams on the list.</p>
<p>This is a matchup that I could very well see happening depending on how these two teams close out the year and is certainly one of the more realistic possibilities. If Butler doesn’t play, I think Utah finds a way to come out on top. If he’s able to return, I think the Wolves would have the edge, albeit by the narrowest of margins. Nevertheless, if Utah wins big in the final regular season contest, it could very well make me change my mind.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Oklahoma City Thunder </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 13: <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/georgpa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Paul George</a> #13 and <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/westbru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Russell Westbrook</a> #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder react during game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 13, 2018 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Oklahoma City Thunder</h3>
<p>Although the Oklahoma City Thunder have been the definition of Jekyll and Hyde this season and their defense hasn’t been nearly as staunch since <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/roberan03.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Andre Roberson</a> went down for the season, I’m not going to lie, they’re still one of the last teams I’d like to see Utah face in the first round. I’m fully aware that we’ve been saying all season that this team will eventually figure it out, yet they still really haven’t, but still, Playoff Paul George is a different animal and Russell Westbrook is consistently a big problem for the Jazz.</p>
<p>That’s been evidenced by OKC’s 3-1 regular season series win over the Jazz as Utah has largely struggled against the Thunder. Yes, each of those losses came during Utah’s horrific month of December, so the results should possibly be taken with a bit of a grain of salt, but this is still an extremely talented team that I don’t want to see Utah face.</p>
<p>Outside of George and Westbrook, <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/adamsst01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Steven Adams</a> is often the forgotten man, but he’s certainly capable of challenging Rudy Gobert on both ends of the floor and has played well against the Jazz in the past, too. <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/anthoca01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Carmelo Anthony</a> doesn’t scare me as much as those three, but he could very well elevate his game in the playoffs as well.</p>
<p>It feels like this Thunder team has largely slept their way through the regular season, and while they certainly need to get their act together if they want to finish with a favorable position in the Western Conference standings, I have a feeling that the playoffs will motivate them to take their game to a whole different level.</p>
<p>And because of that, quite frankly, aside from Golden State and Houston, this is the last team that I want to see the Jazz face in the first round. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if such ended up being the case. The Thunder are in fourth right now, but will likely be hard-pressed to catch the third place Portland Trail Blazers. Meanwhile, the Jazz have a good shot of passing the beleaguered Pelicans and Wolves, but may struggle to catch the Thunder, especially without possessing the tiebreaker.</p>
<p>Therefore, there’s a good chance that this could end up being the 4-5 matchup, and unfortunately, I don’t feel confident that it would end in Utah’s favor if such were the case.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Portland Trail Blazers </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">PORTLAND, OR – MARCH 15: the Portland Trail Blazers look on during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 15, 2018 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Portland Trail Blazers</h3>
<p>I feel like I was one of the few who was high on the Trail Blazers dating all the way back to the preseason. They ended last year extremely well with <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nurkiju01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jusuf Nurkic</a> and I’ve always felt like <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lillada01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Damian Lillard</a> and CJ McCollum don’t get even as much credit as they deserve as one of the best backcourts in the league. Figure in an underrated coach in Terry Stotts and a respectable bench, and I had high hopes for this team.</p>
<p>They started out somewhat slow, but they’ve bounced back in a big way and are currently one of the hottest teams in the league as winners of 11 straight which has propelled them rather comfortably into the third seed in the West. When I say comfortably, it’s only two games, but considering how congested the West is, that feels like about a five-game cushion.</p>
<p>But as good as Portland is, the Jazz actually happen to own the tiebreaker over them with a 2-1 lead. Utah faltered against them in their first contest after the All-Star break in a loss that snapped their 11-game win streak, but the Jazz played extremely well against them in two exciting games earlier in the year.</p>
<p>Therefore, I can’t wait to see what comes of the final game of the season on April 11 which will pit these two red hot teams against one another. As of right now, I would feel nervous about this matchup in the playoffs considering how well Portland is playing and simply because of how daunting Lillard can be, but a good performance in that final contest could change my mind.</p>
<p>Then again, depending on how the seeds are playing out by then, such as if the Blazers already have the third seed locked up, it may turn into a meaningless contest for them in which they rest players. That would make it hard to know how to size up a Jazz-Blazers series.</p>
<p>But based on what we know right now, I would be alright with this matchup. I don’t think it’s as ideal as, say, the one against the Pelicans, but I’d rather Utah face off against Portland than Oklahoma City. Lillard and McCollum have had their fair share of electrifying performances against the Jazz, but Utah has also had several games where they’ve held them in check.</p>
<p>I really think this one would be an evenly matched series that could go either way. It would make for a fantastic series, but as far as feeling confident that Utah would arise victorious, it wouldn’t be my top choice.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Golden State Warriors </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 11: <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kevin Durant</a> #35 and <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/greendr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Draymond Green</a> #23 of the Golden State Warriors stand side by side during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 11, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Golden State Warriors</h3>
<p>If the playoffs were to start today, the Jazz would be matched up against none other than the Golden State Warriors. Obviously, that isn’t exactly ideal, and all season the talk has been that teams will want to avoid the seventh and eighth seeds so they won’t be swept in the first round by either Houston or Golden State.</p>
<p>However, Golden State hasn’t looked quite as daunting of late due to a barrage of injuries. Steph Curry (right ankle sprain), <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/thompkl01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Klay Thompson</a> (broken right thumb) and Kevin Durant (sore ribs) were all listed as out for Friday’s contest against the Sacramento Kings while Draymond Green has been dealing with a shoulder issue.</p>
<p>Some of these injuries are more severe than others and the Warriors are certainly being cautious knowing that arriving to the postseason healthy is far more important than regular season wins or even earning the top overall seed. But that doesn’t change the fact that Golden State is looking somewhat vulnerable, especially compared to what they were presumed to be at the start of the season.</p>
<p>If those woes continue, and the Jazz can somehow match their last effort against the Warriors where they won by an astounding 30 points in the playoffs, this could end up being a mind-blowing upset in favor of Utah. Of course the Jazz still have two more regular season contests against Golden State, one at the end of March and one in the second to last regular season game on April 10 which could be telling about how Utah can fare against the Warriors.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, as nice as it is to dream about the Warriors folding due to injury or Utah being able to stifle them with their excellent defense, let’s be honest, the chances of the Jazz advancing past the first round if starting against Golden State is slim to none. Yes, I know Utah has played extremely well and I stand by what I said about the Warriors looking somewhat vulnerable at the moment, but I have a feeling that they’ll flip a switch in a major way the second the postseason hits.</p>
<p>We’re talking about a team with four All-Stars and two recent MVPs that went 16-1 in the playoffs last year en route to a championship. They’re more than likely going to get healthy in time and even if they’re not quite 100 percent, it’s unreasonable to expect the Jazz to be able to keep up with that much talent.</p>
<p>I’d love to see a Jazz upset as much as anyone and if Utah makes me eat crow on saying this, I will do so happily. But I think we all know deep down that if the Jazz are tasked with facing off against the Warriors in the first round this season, it will more than likely result in a first-round exit, despite the monumental improvements they’ve made in the latter part of the season.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Houston Rockets </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">HOUSTON, TX – MARCH 15: <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/paulch01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Chris Paul</a> #3 and <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/03/16/utah-jazz-previewing-potential-first-round-playoff-matchup/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hardeja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">James Harden</a> #13 of the Houston Rockets after the game against the LA Clippers on March 15, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Houston Rockets</h3>
<p>The last team that Utah could potentially face in the first round is the Houston Rockets. Based on Golden State’s injury woes and Houston’s two-game lead in the standings, it’s looking more than likely that the Jazz would only face off against the Rockets if they slid to the eighth seed. That obviously wouldn’t be ideal in any situation and would be even less so if it meant a date with the Rockets in the first round.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>Houston swept the Jazz in the regular season this year with four double-figure victories. Last season, I felt like the Jazz matched up with Houston pretty well, but this year, the Rockets are an entirely different beast. Chris Paul has obviously made them more dangerous, but they’re also defending better while James Harden continues to shine as the likely frontrunner for the MVP award.</p>
<p>There’s a chance that the Jazz’s elite defense could make life miserable for the Rockets, especially while many presume that Harden’s game takes a slight step backwards in the playoffs as refs swallow their whistles and he’s not quite as able to get to the line. Still, based on how prolific Houston has been and how many problems they’ve given the Jazz this year, I’m pretty sure it would take a lot more than that for Utah to arise victorious.</p>
<p>Much like the series against Golden State, this is one I absolutely don’t want to see as I don’t like Utah’s chances at all of arising as the victors. I honestly don’t think they’d get swept, but beating this incredible Houston team four times would be an immense challenge.</p>
<p>Fortunately, I truly believe that this matchup is less than likely as Utah has already surpassed the eighth seed and has been playing well enough to continue to climb rather than to slide. Playing Houston in the first round would be far from ideal, but based on how things sit right now, I also think it’s less than probable to happen.</p>
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