The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz: Top six matchups to look forward to in 2018-19

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 17: Rudy Gobert #27 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz high-five after the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 17, 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 - MARCH 17: Rudy Gobert #27 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz high-five after the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 17, 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: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz and Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder hug after 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: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz and Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder hug after 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

12/10 in OKC, 12/22 in SLC, 2/22 in OKC, 3/11 in SLC

Last year’s playoff series between the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder was just too much fun. And considering that the Jazz, who were widely heralded as underdogs, managed to bring the pain to the star-studded Thunder, I imagine that OKC will be out for blood this year.

As Russell Westbrook and Co. seek revenge on the Jazz, we could very well see four heated contests between these divisional foes. Not only that, but many have pinned the Thunder above the Jazz heading into next season after they parted ways with cancer Carmelo Anthony, retained Paul George with whom the entire squad should have chemistry, returned Andre Roberson from injury and added Dennis Schroder.

Honestly, I think the Thunder are going to be a better team overall next season than they were in a roller coaster 2017-18 campaign, but I still think they’ll be hard-pressed to outmatch the Jazz. Nevertheless, between some animosity between the players and the fact that these squads could very well be competing for playoff positioning neck and neck once again, I expect all four contests to be awesome battles.

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