Utah Jazz: Ranking potential 2019 first-round playoff matchups

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MAY 6: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets drives to the basket against Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz during Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Which realistic playoff opponents would present the most and least favorable matchups for the Utah Jazz?

The Utah Jazz’s recent disappointing loss to the Memphis Grizzlies notwithstanding, this team appears more than primed to forge their way into a third straight postseason appearance. Sitting at sixth place in the West with a record of 37-28 with one of the easiest remaining schedules ahead (though they’ve failed to take advantage of that in two of their last three bouts), Utah should have no problem qualifying for the playoffs.

However, the question isn’t so much whether or not they’ll make it, it’s which seed will they finish in and who will be their first-round matchup. Obviously, with how closely contested the standings are in the Western Conference, it’s anybody’s guess how things are going to pan out and even the unexpected could happen.

Sure, perhaps the Jazz go on a big run and find themselves in a much higher seed than expected where they take on the LA Clippers or San Antonio Spurs in the first round. Or maybe the Sacramento Kings or even the Los Angeles Lakers get things sorted out and burst their way into the West’s top eight, creating even more potential first-round opponents for the Jazz.

But, quite frankly, I don’t see either of those being all too likely. While among current playoff teams, the seventh and eighth-place Clippers and Spurs would easily be the most favorable opponents, I’m guessing that instead (especially based on recent lackluster play) the Jazz will ultimately wind up in the 3-8 spot and therefore play against one of the teams currently ranked 1-5. Namely, the Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, or Portland Trail Blazers.

With one of those five being their most likely opponents, let’s go ahead and rank each of these matchups in order from least to most favorable.

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