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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 8
Next
PORTLAND, OR – MARCH 3: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 3, 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 Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – MARCH 3: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 3, 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 Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

#7 – Oklahoma City Thunder

Unlike many of the teams in this mix, the Oklahoma City Thunder are one of the few that haven’t been all that remarkable of late. They’re just 6-4 in their last 10, but in their defense, three of those four losses were to pretty dang good teams – the Blazers, Cavs and Golden State Warriors. Their other loss in the last ten was to the Lakers, who have been surging of late.

Still, the Thunder have been as Jekyll and Hyde as they come and their defense has suffered with the loss of Andre Roberson. Not to mention, their remaining schedule is scary enough that one can’t help but be concerned about whether or not the Thunder will have enough juice to overcome their woes and sneak into the playoffs:

  • 3/6 vs. Houston
  • 3/8 vs. Phoenix
  • 3/10 vs. San Antonio
  • 3/12 vs. Sacramento
  • 3/13 at Atlanta
  • 3/16 vs. LA Clippers
  • 3/18 at Toronto
  • 3/20 at Boston
  • 3/23 vs. Miami
  • 3/25 vs. Portland
  • 3/29 at San Antonio
  • 3/30 vs. Denver
  • 4/1 at New Orleans
  • 4/3 vs. Golden State
  • 4/7 at Houston
  • 4/9 at Miami
  • 4/11 vs. Memphis

There’s a few cushy games in there, to be sure, but between three games against the West’s top two teams and several bouts against worthy playoff foes, including many of the closest Western Conference opponents grappling for position, it’s not going to be an easy close for the Thunder. Even though OKC is still a full game ahead of the eighth-place Nuggets, if they’re not careful and continue their inconsistent ways, they could be in a precarious situation sooner rather than later.

Honestly, I think the Thunder will find a way to squeak in. But then again, if Utah, Denver and LA all get hot at the right time and OKC gets complacent, their playoff bid will be far from a guarantee.

Home/Jazz News