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
6 of 8
Next
SAN ANTONIO, TX – MARCH 5: Pau Gasol #16 of the San Antonio Spurs hi-fives Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 5, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – MARCH 5: Pau Gasol #16 of the San Antonio Spurs hi-fives Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 5, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /

#5 – San Antonio Spurs

My, how the mighty have fallen. And what a weird season it’s been for the San Antonio Spurs. Despite holding on to the third seed in the West for the majority of the season even with Kawhi Leonard dealing with injury for much of the year, they’ve suddenly hit a tailspin that has them cascading out of control.

They were finally able to get a much-needed win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, but it was by the narrowest of margins to a team that has now lost 14 straight. Before that, the Spurs had lost eight of their last 10 games and hadn’t defeated a Western Conference team since February 7th (and it was the Phoenix Suns, no less).

In other words, it’s been far from smooth sailing for the Spurs who are now just 3-7 in their last 10 games. Not only that, but San Antonio’s starting center Pau Gasol suffered a shoulder injury in the win over Memphis and could very well miss significant time. Injuries have been far from kind to San Antonio this year, especially in the odd case of Kawhi Leonard, and if he doesn’t return soon, it could spell big trouble for the Spurs.

That’s especially true considering that they’re another team that faces a rough stretch full of daunting Western Conference foes to close out the season:

  • 3/8 at Golden State
  • 3/10 at Oklahoma City
  • 3/12 at Houston
  • 3/13 vs. Orlando
  • 3/15 vs. New Orleans
  • 3/17 vs. Minnesota
  • 3/19 vs. Golden State
  • 3/21 vs. Washington
  • 3/23 vs. Utah
  • 3/25 at Milwaukee
  • 3/27 at Washington
  • 3/29 vs. Oklahoma City
  • 4/1 vs. Houston
  • 4/3 at LA Clippers
  • 4/4 at Los Angeles Lakers
  • 4/7 vs. Portland
  • 4/9 vs. Sacramento
  • 4/11 at New Orleans

San Antonio has to face Golden State and Houston two more times each, then have just five games against current teams out of the playoff mix, but that includes the Utah Jazz, who have beat them three times this season, and both teams from LA who have been red hot of late.

Common logic leads me to believe that there’s no way that the Spurs could possibly fall short of postseason action. But considering how poorly they’ve played of late and glancing at that remaining schedule, it’s pretty clear that they’ll need a big turnaround if they’re to keep their heads above water. It’s still hard to fathom them falling out entirely, but based on what we’ve seen recently, they have far from a guaranteed path of qualifying.

Home/Jazz News