Thunderous Intentions
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Matt’s Monday Musings – OKC Thunder Shooting for Home Court and Fourth Seed

By Matthew Hallett

Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 8, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) center Rudy Gobert (27) and guard George Hill (3) react during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Utah Jazz 88-79. Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) center Rudy Gobert (27) and guard George Hill (3) react during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Utah Jazz 88-79. Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

Utah Jazz

The Jazz, have 12 games left against playoff teams. The problem is they have no periods in their schedule where they can build much momentum. The bonus for the Jazz is they sit 1.5 games ahead of the Clippers in the loss column. Moreover they hold a three game advantage over the Grizzlies as well as a four game advantage on the Thunder.

The Jazz managed to get to this position despite the constant injuries which affected the club over the course of the season.

The Run Home

Between the 8th of March to the 20th of March the Jazz exclusively face playoff teams. The second part of this equation is that most of these games are on the road. It looks tough. If they can win most of these games then they deserve to be the fourth seed.

The first game of this road trip is against the Houston Rockets; the Jazz lost their only game in Houston this season. The next game in the trip is against the OKC Thunder. I need not remind any OKC supporters of the last result…

The only home game of this stretch is against the Clippers, who they are 0-2 against this season.

The East Coast Trip

The first game in an East coast road trip is against the Detroit Pistons. I can see this may be the only win in this long stretch. The problem for the Jazz is it is the first of a back-to-back. Who is the next team? The World Champion Cleveland Cavaliers. Can’t see the Jazz winning this game.

After a single day of rest, the Jazz take on the Chicago Bulls. This is nearing the end of the road trip and I can see the Jazz dropping this one as well. Then there is a need to be careful against the Indiana Pacers two nights later. Utah won the previous game but that was at home.

The other danger stretch is the last two games of the season. April 10 they take on the Golden State Warriors away, then on the 12th they host the San Antonio Spurs. This could cease any momentum the Jazz have going into the playoffs.

I see the Jazz going 11-9 in this stretch, dropping them down to sixth in the West with a 49-33 record.

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