The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz haven’t gotten much help from West opponents, but that may change soon

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 5: the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Orlando Magicon March 5, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 5: the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Orlando Magicon March 5, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 28: Tobias Harris #34 of the LA Clippers is introduced before the game against the Houston Rockets on February 28, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 28: Tobias Harris #34 of the LA Clippers is introduced before the game against the Houston Rockets on February 28, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

#9 – LA Clippers

After trading away All-Star Blake Griffin to the Detroit Pistons, many assumed that the LA Clippers were letting their season go down the tank. It was a shocking blockbuster move and while LA got some nice pieces in return (I’m a huge fan of Tobias Harris), it just seemed like the chances of it working out for the Clippers in the short term were slim to none.

Time will tell the ultimate effects of the trade, but so far, I couldn’t have been more wrong. The Clippers have continued to play extremely well whereas the Detroit Pistons are sputtering. Although the Clips are outside of the playoffs as well, they’re still ahead of the Jazz and if they keep up their recent play (winners of seven of their last ten), they would appear to have a solid chance of busting their way in as they sit just a half-game behind the eighth place Nuggets.

However, not only are they dealing once again with the absence of the oft-injured Danilo Gallinari who suffered a fractured hand, but their schedule to close out the season is absolutely brutal. Take a look at it for yourself:

  • 3/6 vs. New Orleans
  • 3/9 vs. Cleveland
  • 3/10 vs. Orlando
  • 3/13 at Chicago
  • 3/18 vs. Portland
  • 3/20 at Minnesota
  • 3/21 at Milwaukee
  • 3/23 at Indiana
  • 3/25 at Toronto
  • 3/27 vs. Milwaukee
  • 3/28 at Phoenix
  • 3/30 at Portland
  • 4/1 vs. Indiana
  • 4/3 vs. San Antonio
  • 4/5 at Utah (this could be a huge game)
  • 4/7 vs. Denver
  • 4/9 vs. New Orleans
  • 4/11 vs. Los Angeles

That’s 13 opponents that are currently in the playoffs over the course of their last 18 games. Two of the other five are against the Jazz who are knocking on the door and the Lakers who have played exceptionally well of late. Aside from contests against the Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns, there are no easy contests for the Clippers.

In other words, I don’t know that their hot play can hold. There are a lot of tough games in there and I don’t foresee the Clippers able to win enough of those games to fight their way into the playoffs. Even if they do, the good news is that a lot of their contests are against fellow teams in the 3-9 seeds, meaning that if LA goes on a run, it could very well be at the expense of other teams that the Jazz need to lose such as New Orleans, Denver or Minnesota.

I don’t foresee that happening and think LA will be one of the odd teams out, but either way, their remaining schedule bodes very well for the Jazz.

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