The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz Week Twenty-Five Outlook, Predictions

Jared Woodcox|
Apr 7, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) dunks the ball in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Utah Jazz defeated Minnesota Timberwolves 120-13. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) dunks the ball in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Utah Jazz defeated Minnesota Timberwolves 120-13. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) sets a screen for Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) as Los Angeles Clippers forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) defends in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Clippers won 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) sets a screen for Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) as Los Angeles Clippers forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) defends in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Clippers won 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Playoffs Round 1

Of course losing the final two games of the season wouldn’t be an ideal way to go out, but nevertheless, the good news is that the Jazz are finally headed back to the playoffs after a four-year drought. And while it’s still not set in stone where Game 1 will take place, the opponent will certainly be the Los Angeles Clippers.

Once the schedule is officially set, we here at Purple & Blues will be sure to provide a much more in-depth playoff preview, but I wanted to at least touch on it here. The Jazz will play Game 1 on either Saturday or Sunday of this upcoming week in either Los Angeles or Salt Lake.

Of course, it’s common knowledge that Utah has struggled against the Clippers this season as the Jazz lost three of four contests in blowout fashion and needed a 14-of-21 (.667) performance from deep to eke out a six-point victory in the lone win. Therefore, the Jazz will have to step up big time if they hope to make some noise in the postseason and advance to the second round.

Although the fourth seed and home court advantage have been talked about as a major goal for the better part of two months, with that objective looking more and more bleak, several fans are beginning to take an optimistic approach. Perhaps starting the series out in LA will allow the Jazz to come out without the added pressure and urgency of defending home court and thus may be able to steal one on the road to build confidence before returning home.

It’s a nice thought, but one that will still be difficult to make come to fruition. More than anything, the Jazz have to hope that Gordon Hayward and George Hill, and to a lesser but still important extent, Rodney Hood and Derrick Favors, are able to come out as near to full strength as possible.

I’ll hold off making any predictions on the first round of the playoffs until we’ve wrapped up Week 25 of the regular season, but it’s clear that the Jazz will have their work cut out for them in their thrilling return to postseason action.

More from The J-Notes

As fun as this season has been despite its ups and downs, the Jazz were never considered to be a realistic championship threat. More than anything, the goal of this season in the eyes of many was to prove to soon-to-be free agent Gordon Hayward that this team is on the right track, is the ideal home for him and has what it takes to turn into a contending squad.

Thus, whatever happens to close out the season and in that first round of the playoffs, we can only hope that it will be enough to convince the Jazz All-Star to stay.

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