Three things the Utah Jazz need to prove in Game 5, win or lose

Regardless of the outcome of Tuesday’s Game 5, the Utah Jazz have plenty to fight for and prove before the season’s end.

After defeating the Houston Rockets in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals, it appeared as if the Utah Jazz had new life and an excellent opportunity to continue their 2017-18 trend of shocking the world. The team seemed confident in their post-game interviews and for good reason. Earning a 1-1 series split with the next two games set to be played on their home court was as good a reason for optimism as any.

And the players weren’t the only ones feeling good about their chances at home against this Houston team. The sample size may not be representative of all of Jazz Nation, but just check out these fan poll results prior to Game 3 from The J-Notes Twitter page:

Now that’s what I call optimism right there! And unfortunately, the Rockets proved it to be folly. There’s a reason Houston is the number one seed in the West and they proved it thoroughly in Games 3 and 4 in which the Jazz were handily defeated in both bouts on their home floor.

Now, on the brink of elimination facing a 3-1 deficit, the Utah Jazz will head back to Houston for Game 5. Many are saying the series is already over and it may very well be. The Rockets have been exceptional against the Jazz on both ends of the floor, particularly by slowing Utah’s offense that has a hard time getting going in the first place.

Nevertheless, regardless of if the Jazz win or lose on Tuesday, Game 5 is still important. Whether they force a Game 6 or they find themselves playing the final game of the season, there were several discouraging aspects of Game 4 that the Jazz shouldn’t want to continue and become the final note of what has truly been a stupendous 2017-18 season.

While there’s a lot of changes they need to make, the following three are those that I most want to see out of the Jazz on Tuesday regardless of the outcome.