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Utah Jazz Week 25 Outlook: Jazz eyeing home court in first round

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 26: Kyle Korver #26, Donovan Mitchell #45 and Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz celebrate there team win during an open practice at Zions Bank Basketball Campus on March 26, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 26: Kyle Korver #26, Donovan Mitchell #45 and Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz celebrate there team win during an open practice at Zions Bank Basketball Campus on March 26, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MARCH 29: Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz celebrates a three point basket during a game against the Washington Wizards at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 29, 2019 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. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MARCH 29: Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz celebrates a three point basket during a game against the Washington Wizards at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 29, 2019 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. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

Winners of four straight, the Utah Jazz will look to continue to finish out the season strong as they have their sights set on home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

We’re really getting down to it, Utah Jazz fans. This week is Week 25 of the 2018-19 NBA season, a.k.a. the second to last week and last full week of regular season NBA action. The start of the NBA playoffs is quite literally right on the horizon.

The Jazz took care of business just as they needed to last week by going 3-0 against three weaker opponents. That success moved them up to 46-30 on the year, good for sole possession of fifth place in the West. I likewise went 3-0 as I predicted the perfect week, so I maintained my ‘two-game lead’, moving up to 48-28 on the season.

With their recent surge, the Jazz now find themselves a mere two games out of fourth place in the West and the first-round home court advantage that finishing there would bring. Currently that spot is being held by the Portland Trail Blazers, who recently lost key contributor Jusuf Nurkic for the season after he suffered a devastating leg injury.

The Blazers have continued to play well, though, aside from a recent setback against the Detroit Pistons, so surpassing them will be no easy task. The Jazz will have to keep winning and get a little help from Portland’s opponents if they hope to rise to fourth place.

Fortunately, they’ll yet again face an entire slate of lesser opponents in Week 25. If Utah can remain focused and take advantage as well as they did in Week 24, that No. 4 spot could very well be within their grasp.

Let’s see just what lies ahead and how they’re likely to fare with the playoffs drawing ever near.

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