Houston Rockets
The last team that Utah could potentially face in the first round is the Houston Rockets. Based on Golden State’s injury woes and Houston’s two-game lead in the standings, it’s looking more than likely that the Jazz would only face off against the Rockets if they slid to the eighth seed. That obviously wouldn’t be ideal in any situation and would be even less so if it meant a date with the Rockets in the first round.
Houston swept the Jazz in the regular season this year with four double-figure victories. Last season, I felt like the Jazz matched up with Houston pretty well, but this year, the Rockets are an entirely different beast. Chris Paul has obviously made them more dangerous, but they’re also defending better while James Harden continues to shine as the likely frontrunner for the MVP award.
There’s a chance that the Jazz’s elite defense could make life miserable for the Rockets, especially while many presume that Harden’s game takes a slight step backwards in the playoffs as refs swallow their whistles and he’s not quite as able to get to the line. Still, based on how prolific Houston has been and how many problems they’ve given the Jazz this year, I’m pretty sure it would take a lot more than that for Utah to arise victorious.
Much like the series against Golden State, this is one I absolutely don’t want to see as I don’t like Utah’s chances at all of arising as the victors. I honestly don’t think they’d get swept, but beating this incredible Houston team four times would be an immense challenge.
Fortunately, I truly believe that this matchup is less than likely as Utah has already surpassed the eighth seed and has been playing well enough to continue to climb rather than to slide. Playing Houston in the first round would be far from ideal, but based on how things sit right now, I also think it’s less than probable to happen.
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So based on what we know right now, here’s my summary of what I’d like to see. I’d prefer the Jazz meet up with the Clippers, Nuggets, or Pelicans the most. Those first two are quite unlikely, but very favorable whereas a matchup against the Pelicans is my favorite realistic option.
The Spurs, Wolves and Blazers then find themselves in the next tier of matchups for me, with each of them being winnable but scary in my mind for the Jazz, especially depending on the health of Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard. It’s quite possible that any of those matchups could happen.
Last of all, I don’t want to see the Jazz play Oklahoma City in the first round at all, but would take them over Golden State or Houston. I think there’s a pretty strong chance of a Jazz-Thunder series and that it’s more likely that Utah would face off against the Warriors than the Rockets.
Seeing how the Western Conference ends up shaking out is going to be an absolute thrill. The standings could shuffle each and every night remaining in the season, and every game will be absolutely crucial if teams hope to secure the best possible spot. Hopefully the Jazz will continue to surge and the chips will fall such that they even earn a favorable matchup in the process.
All stats and standings are accurate heading into games on Friday, March 16.