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Utah Jazz: 2017-18 Northwest Division Comparison – December

Jared Woodcox|
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 1: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz talks with media after the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 1, 2017 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 1: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz talks with media after the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 1, 2017 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 30: Alec Burks #10 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz shake hands during the game against the LA Clippers on November 30, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 30: Alec Burks #10 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz shake hands during the game against the LA Clippers on November 30, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

Utah Jazz

Current Record: 12-11

Standings: 4th in Division, 7th in Conference

Last of all, let’s briefly touch on the Utah Jazz, shall we? Just when it looked like discouragement was about to set in, the Jazz came back to life and have now won five straight and six of seven. Utah appeared to be slipping out of the playoff picture completely, but now have come soaring right back in as they’re above .500 and solidly in seventh in the Western Conference.

And while December gets much, much harder than what they’ve faced of late, based on what we know about Quin Snyder, Donovan Mitchell and the rest of the gang, I truly think that Utah is going to be able to sustain their hot play somewhat and that this latest burst isn’t just a fluke.

They may go right at or under .500 for the remainder of the month, but even that should still put them in a very favorable position to be able to keep pace with their Northwest Division peers. I don’t know that Utah will have the firepower to overcome all their injuries and survive a rough December in a way that will allow them to repeat as the division winner, but I am still sticking to my guns from preseason and last month and saying that Utah will make the playoffs.

Next: Dear Utah Jazz, Please don’t trade Derrick Favors

And that in and of itself would be a big accomplishment considering all that the Jazz have had to undergo heading into this season and in adjusting to new faces. Nevertheless, Utah has been red hot of late and if that keeps up, there’s no telling just how good they can be.

The Northwest Division was predicted to be a powerhouse this year and while it hasn’t fully lived up to it’s expectations – at least not yet  – it’s still been the most intriguing division in the league in my mind and it will be exhilarating to see how things unfold for all five teams in December.

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