Utah Jazz: Five Things to Look Forward to This Season

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Utah Jazz Gordon Hayward
Feb 9, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) celebrates with guard Rodney Hood (5) and forward Derrick Favors (15) after making the game winning shot in overtime to defeat the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

1) Games That Matter

You can say a lot about how the Jazz have changed or why things will be different this season than in years past. In the end, it boils down to this — after not having a lot to play for in recent years, the Jazz are going to be involved in games that actually matter this season.

We got a little taste of this last year when, despite the litany of injuries, the team was firmly in the playoff race down the stretch. March bouts with the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors had that unmistakable playoff feel.

Their final home game against the Dallas Mavericks was equally intense as the Jazz were playing for their very playoff lives.

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This year, games of that ilk will be less the exception and more the rule. Make no mistake about it, the Jazz are a playoff team. They’ll be fighting with the elite of the Western Conference for position all season long and every game is going to count.

For the first time since Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer led the charge, the Jazz legitimately have something to play for beyond the promise of “next year.” The end result is going to be some exciting basketball.