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Utah Jazz: 2017-18 Northwest Division Comparison – January

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 30: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz reacts during game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 30, 2017 at Vivint Smart Home 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 30: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz reacts during game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 30, 2017 at Vivint Smart Home 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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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 30: Evan Turner #1 of the Portland Trail Blazers pulls down on his head as he runs down the court against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on December 30, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 30: Evan Turner #1 of the Portland Trail Blazers pulls down on his head as he runs down the court against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on December 30, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Portland Trail Blazers

Current Record: 18-17

Standings: 4th in Division, 7th in Conference

After a hot start that had me feeling pretty confident in Portland’s chances of being one of the more surprising teams of the division, they faced a similarly tough December schedule just as Utah did and struggled to make their way through it. The Blazers went just 5-8 during the month which saw them face off against the likes of the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves, all of which resulted in losses.

The Blazers also took a hit from the injury bug as Damian Lillard has missed their last four contests due to a hamstring issue. Portland did manage to go 2-2 during that stretch, but the wins came against the hapless Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks, so they weren’t much to write home about.

If Lillard is further hampered by the injury, it could prove fatal for Portland moving forward. That’s especially true considering that January doesn’t get much easier for them until the very end of the month. Four of their first six games in the new year are against the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Given their recent struggles and the injury to Damian Lillard, the Blazers may very well turn out to be the team that the Jazz have the best chance of catching in the division. Still, Lillard is projected to make a return soon and Portland has several other capable pieces, so despite some recent setbacks, they could still very well have a bounce-back month in January and remain firmly in the thick of the playoff mix.

They’ll end the month with three extremely winnable games, so while the Jazz may be able to begin nipping at their heels, expect Portland to stay at no worse than fourth in the division heading into February as well.

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