Thunderous Intentions
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Deep Dive: OKC Thunder and west opponents stretch schedule analysis

By Tamberlyn Richardson

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MARCH 08: Oklahoma City Thunder Forward Paul George (13) plays defense as Phoenix Suns Guard Devin Booker (1) looks to pass during the Oklahoma City Thunder game versus the Phoenix Suns on March 8, 2018, at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK. (Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MARCH 08: Oklahoma City Thunder Forward Paul George (13) plays defense as Phoenix Suns Guard Devin Booker (1) looks to pass during the Oklahoma City Thunder game versus the Phoenix Suns on March 8, 2018, at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK. (Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 07: Donovan Mitchell /

Utah Jazz:

Record: 37-30

Current Seed: 8th

Games Remaining: 15

Back to Back Sets: Two – Dallas/San Antonio (Mar. 22/23) Golden State/Portland (Apr. 10/11)

Road vs Home Games: 6 road (45.7 win%) | 9 home (65.6 win%)

West vs. East Games: 12 West | 3 East

Games left vs. current lottery teams: 8

Games left vs. current playoff teams: 7

Strength of Schedule remaining:  Rank 17th with .489 SOS

Toughest Teams: Golden State x 2, Boston, Portland

Easiest Teams: Memphis, Phoenix, Atlanta, Sacramento

Current Win Percent: 55.2%

Last 10/streaks: 8-2 in past 10, on 6 game win streak, won 18 of 20 games

Tie Break Records: 

Nuggets: Split season series

Clippers:  Jazz up 2-1 with final game in series to be played April 5.

Spurs: Jazz have won tiebreak up 3-0 with one game to play

Pelicans: Jazz won tiebreaker and series 3-1

Blazers: Jazz up 2-1, final game April 11, last day of season at Portland

Wolves: Wolves lead series 2 games to 1 with another to occur on April 1

Thunder: Thunder won series 3-1

Notes: 

The Sunday match  versus the Pelicans was critical because it featured two teams embroiled in this west dog fight. It affected the Thunder because the Jazz win over the Pelicans brought OKC  within mere percentage points of the Pelicans.

As of this posting the Jazz have finally broke through to land on the ladder. This came about via their wins coupled with the Spurs losses to the Thunder and Rockets. The question is are the Jazz this year’s version of the Miami Heat who just missed the playoffs?

Prediction:

With one of the easier schedules remaining the Jazz should benefit. Conceivably the Jazz could go on another very long win streak. Utah have won six in a row and their next five games feature lottery teams. Utah need to capitalize on this segment of the schedule because seven of the Jazz’ final 10 games feature playoff seeds.

With Rudy Gobert back on the court the Jazz have produced the best defense by a mile. Post All-Star the Jazz rank first with a 93.5 defensive rating. That’s 4.5 points better than the closer opponent (Portland).

My best guess is the Jazz perform to expectations versus the lottery teams and maybe drop one unexpected game. Then perform to their win percent against the playoff seeds.

At the top end this would equal 10 wins and five losses and a final record of 47-35.

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