The J-Notes
Fansided

The zany path to the ideal playoff seeding situation for the Utah Jazz

By Jared Woodcox

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 06: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz reacts to a call during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 06, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 06: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz reacts to a call during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 06, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 24: Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets drives against Landry Shamet #20 of the Los Angeles Clippers in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center on February 24, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 24: Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets drives against Landry Shamet #20 of the Los Angeles Clippers in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center on February 24, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

2-7 Matchup: Denver Nuggets vs. LA Clippers

How could it happen?

Denver Nuggets defeat Utah Jazz. LA Clippers defeat Utah Jazz. San Antonio Spurs lose to Dallas Mavericks. Oklahoma City Thunder defeat Houston Rockets and Milwaukee Bucks.

If you ask me, the Denver Nuggets and LA Clippers are the two least daunting teams in the Western Conference playoff picture. Yes, I know I have the Nuggets pinned here as the two-seed and they’ve had a solid regular season to get this far. However, something about the way they’ve finished the season combined with their lack of playoff experience tells me they could struggle majorly in the postseason.

If the Nuggets win out they’ll solidify themselves as the two-seed or if they go 1-1 and the Rockets lose. Meanwhile, the Clippers have to win themselves and will need some help elsewhere, but this is a very plausible matchup.

If it pans out this way, I would expect the Nuggets to come out on top, though no series is going to be easy in the West, especially for a Denver team largely comprised of playoff novices. The Nuggets dominated the regular season series against the Clippers and I believe they have the depth, deadliness on their home court and talent to overwhelm LA.

However, much like the last matchup I described, this one doesn’t help the Jazz so much in the first round, instead it’s in a potential second-round situation where things could get favorable. Based on where I have the Jazz pegged in this exercise (spoiler alert, you’re about to find out), should Utah advance to the second round, they’d get the benefit of facing the winner of this series.

Most likely it would be the Nuggets, but if the Clippers found a way to upset them, it would be all the better. Considering the alternative would likely be facing either the Golden State Warriors or Houston Rockets, taking on either Denver or LA feels like a stroll in the park in comparison.

I’m certainly counting my chickens before they hatch, but if we’re aiming to get the Jazz as far as possible in the 2019 NBA Playoffs, this is the matchup that the Utah faithful should be pulling for in the 2-7 spot.

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