Utah Jazz: Checking in on preseason team award predictions

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PORTLAND, OR – FEBRUARY 11: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz shoots the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 11, 2018 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Game of the Year

Preseason pick: Utah @ Portland (April 11, 208) Runner-up: Boston @ Utah (March 28, 2018)

Heres a list of some of Utah’s best games so far this season. (At least the ones I can think of off the top of my head):

December 1, 2017, @ Utah – Donovan Mitchell drops career-high 41 (FORTY-ONE POINTS!!!) to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans.

December 15, 2017, @ Boston – Utah defeated Gordon Hayward (not really) and the Celtics 107-95

December 30, 2017, @ Utah – Mitchell led the Jazz with 29 points and six assists to propel the Jazz to a much-needed win over LeBron and the Cavs at home

January 26, 2018, @ Toronto – Ricky Rubio’s game-winner led the Jazz to a HUGE road win over the Raptors.

January 30, 2018, @Utah – Utah defeated Golden State by 30

Some pretty impressive games, right? However, none of these will compare to the meaning that another matchup might have to Utah’s playoff hopes/positioning…

New pick: Utah @ Portland (April 11, 2018)

PORTLAND, OR – FEBRUARY 8: Damian Lillard #0 speaks to CJ McCollum of the Portland Trail Blazers during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on February 8, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

I’m rolling with my original prediction here.

Despite the slew of entertaining games for the Jazz, I am still hedging my bet that Utah’s final game of the season against the Trail Blazers will either determine who makes the playoffs or where each team will stack up in the West’s playoff picture.

The Jazz currently sit just two games behind Portland in a Western Conference logjam that currently has eight teams within 4.5 games of each other. Let the fun begin!

Plus, who wouldn’t love a Damian Lillard vs. Donovan Mitchell matchup with playoff implications?

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