Utah Jazz: Ranking potential 2019 first-round playoff matchups

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HOUSTON, TX – MAY 8: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz and James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets after the game in Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Second Least Favorable – Houston Rockets

You had to see this one coming, right? As inconsistent as the Rockets have been this season, especially compared to a year ago when they practically ran away with the top seed in the West, they present a nightmare matchup for the Jazz. Chris Paul and James Harden are both renowned Jazz killers that Utah simply hasn’t been able to match wits with. Clint Capela gave Gobert and the Jazz all kinds of problems last postseason and likely would again.

There’s definitely an argument to be had that the Rockets aren’t as good this year as last year. Their record certainly shows it, though injuries have undoubtedly played a major factor. The heavy load that Harden carries isn’t necessarily a recipe for success deep in the playoffs, but it could very well be enough to carry Houston past the Jazz in the first round.

The fact of the matter, though, is that compared to the rest of the teams that Utah could play in the first round, the Rockets simply have the least amount of weakness that Utah is able to exploit. So long as Harden, Paul and Capela are all healthy, their 3-point heavy attack and stingy defense will likely be too much for the Jazz to overcome, just as it was in the second round a year ago.

True, the Jazz fared better against Houston in the regular season this time around than they did last year, winning two out of the four bouts, but if the latest contest – a 125-98 smackdown in favor of the Rockets – is any indication, then the Jazz would be in big trouble against Harden and Co. in round one.

How would they get here:

It’s not hard to see this one coming to fruition, giving that if the playoffs started today, the Rockets and Jazz would indeed square off as the third and sixth seeds, respectively. Depending on how things shake out between these two squads and the others next to them in the standings, though, this could easily be the 3-6 or 4-5 matchup with either team fitting any of those slots.

Houston also is in reasonable striking distance of the two seed, meaning if Utah slipped to seven, this could be a possibility as well.

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