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Utah Jazz: Ranking Utah’s potential playoff matchups

By Tyler Thorpe

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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ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 13: Paul George #13 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder react during game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 13, 2018 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 13: Paul George #13 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder react during game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 13, 2018 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

6. Oklahoma City Thunder

Utah vs Oklahoma City: 1-3

Outside of a 96-87 victory in the league’s opening week, Utah has dropped three straight to the star-studded Thunder.

In Utah’s lone win, the Thunder had recently assembled their “big three” by bringing in Paul George and Carmelo Anthony to team up with reigning MVP Russell Westbrook and were still working out many of the early season kinks.

While the Thunder are far from the sure-thing contender many people thought they were heading into the season, they still pose a tough matchup for this Jazz squad. Westbrook’s athleticism alone is a tough enough challenge to overcome in a seven-game series.

Add in George’s two-way play, Melo’s streaky shooting and Steven Adams’ physicality down low, and you have a team that should be a tough out come playoff time. As I mentioned above, Utah’s depth can’t be ignored, however, rotations tighten up in the playoffs which makes depth far less important.

In this scenario, Utah defends home court in the first two contests, however, they still fall in six to a team that simply has more playoff experience and front-line star power.

Prediction: Thunder win: 4-2

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