How the Utah Jazz stack up against all 29 other NBA teams

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 23: the Utah Jazz huddle prior to Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 23, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 23: the Utah Jazz huddle prior to Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 23, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 27: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball against the Utah Jazz in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 27: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball against the Utah Jazz in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Oklahoma City Thunder

  • ’17-18 Record: 48-34
  • ’17-18 Season Series: 3-1 (Thunder)
  • ’18-19 Advantage: Neutral

The OKC Thunder and Jazz played quite an entertaining first round series in the playoffs last season, which saw Utah advance to the West semi-finals in six games. Both teams are clearly in contention for a top-four seed in the Western Conference this upcoming season.

They match-up well against each other, but like we saw in the playoffs last season, the Jazz play better team basketball, and are a better coached team. While OKC did make some improvements to their roster, I still believe the Jazz are the better team right now.

The Thunder re-signed key free agents Paul George and Jerami Grant. They acquired Dennis Schroder via trade with Atlanta, and will be getting a healthy Andre Roberson, who has proven to be one of the better perimeter defenders in the league.

These teams are going to have some hard, physical battles for years to come.