The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz Face Critical Two-Game Stretch

By Jared Woodcox

Apr 3, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) is congratulated by teammates in the first half of the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) is congratulated by teammates in the first half of the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the playoff push heating up, the Utah Jazz face two critical and tough match-ups in the second to last week of the regular season.

The Utah Jazz, who are 7-3 over their last 10 games and have won 10 of their last 13, finally fought their way above the .500 mark with a win over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. The Jazz now stand at 39-38, good for eighth in the Western Conference. Utah has looked sharp and focused lately, defeating opponents in their last four victories by an average of over 21 points per game.

Nevertheless, those wins have come against undeniably weak opponents and were separated by the heartbreaking overtime loss to the Golden State Warriors. The Jazz will have their hands full in their next two match-ups as they take on the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday and the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.

Needless to say, Utah’s focus and effort will have to be at an all-time high if they hope to overtake these elite opponents.

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Fortunately for Utah, both of these contests will take place in the friendly confines of Vivint Smart Home Arena where the Jazz are an impressive 24-14 on the season, three games better than both Dallas and Houston are on their home courts.

Unfortunately, San Antonio is so solid that their road record is even better than Utah’s home record and LA isn’t far behind. While there is always the chance that coach Gregg Popovich will rest key players in the game against the Jazz, with him likely to do so in both match-ups against the Warriors, it seems the Jazz will face the daunting task of taking on the Spurs at full strength.

For what it’s worth, the Clippers will also have Blake Griffin back who, despite looking a little rusty in his post-injury/suspension debut, has tended to give the Jazz trouble.

Nov 25, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) is defended by Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) is defended by Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

However, there is another bit of good news for the Jazz. The Mavericks and Rockets, who the Jazz are currently battling for the seventh and eighth seeds, play one another in their next match-up. With one of these teams guaranteed a to receive a game in the loss column, this gives the Jazz a slight amount of wiggle room, meaning they can drop one of their next two games without sliding out of the playoff mix.

Nevertheless, with the Rockets taking on the Suns in the following game and the Mavericks taking on the slumping Grizzlies (who might actually find themselves battling these three teams for a playoff spot), the Jazz absolutely cannot afford to drop both of their upcoming games.

Following these two critical contests, the Jazz will face the Denver Nuggets in a game the Jazz ought to win, then will have a key showdown at home against Dallas, which could very well make or break their playoff hopes. Then, the final game of the season will be on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Mar 28, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) dribbles the ball around Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood (5) during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won 123-75. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) dribbles the ball around Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood (5) during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won 123-75. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

While the Jazz easily dispatched LA by 48 points in their last meeting, with this last match-up being Kobe’s final NBA appearance, it is far from a given win. They will have to block out the distractions and emotions connected to Kobe’s final stand and take care of business in the last game of the 2015-16 season.

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Despite the obstacles ahead, it is by no means unrealistic for the Jazz to finish the year 4-1, which with the aforementioned automatic loss that Houston or Dallas will receive as a result of facing one another, should be plenty to guarantee the Jazz a playoff spot.

There’s certainly a lot still up in the air, but come Friday night, it should become rather clear just how determined this Jazz team is and how good their chances truly are of finally qualifying for that elusive playoff spot.

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