Utah Jazz: Ranking Utah’s potential playoff matchups

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 30: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket against Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors of the Utah Jazz of the Golden State Warriors at vivint.SmartHome Arena on January 30, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 30: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket against Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors of the Utah Jazz of the Golden State Warriors at vivint.SmartHome Arena on January 30, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – MARCH 15: Chris Paul #3 and James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets after the game against the LA Clippers on March 15, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – MARCH 15: Chris Paul #3 and James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets after the game against the LA Clippers on March 15, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

7. Houston Rockets

Utah vs Houston: 0-4

The Jazz went winless (0-4) against the team with the league’s best record (60-14). The Jazz have failed to even finish a game within 10 points of the West’s current one-seed.

If you don’t already feel bad enough about Utah’s performance this season against the Rockets, their four losses came by an average of 17.5 points per game.

Ouch.

Let’s be real here. Houston poses the most serious threat to Golden State’s dynasty in recent years in the West and they have a legitimate shot at the title this year. The combination of Chris Paul and James Harden has proven deadly this season. Combine their offensive prowess with a newfound ability to play team defense and you have yourself a legit title contender.

Despite Utah’s impressive depth, they simply lack the firepower needed to truly be competitive against this Rockets team. I’ll give the Jazz one win against the Rockets assuming Rudy Gobert and Co. can disrupt Houston’s offense enough to squeak out a close win at home.

Prediction: Rockets win 4-1