The J-Notes
Fansided

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

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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HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 09: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets drives to the basket defended by Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half at Toyota Center on February 9, 2019 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. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 09: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets drives to the basket defended by Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half at Toyota Center on February 9, 2019 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. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

4-5 Matchup: Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

How could it happen?

Houston Rockets lose to Oklahoma City Thunder. Oklahoma City Thunder beat Milwaukee Bucks. Portland Trail Blazers defeat Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings. Utah Jazz lose to Denver Nuggets and LA Clippers.

The same things that have to happen for the Jazz to drop to sixth and the Blazers and Rockets to switch places are what have to occur to ensure a Rockets-Thunder matchup. This contest would be an exhilarating one for several reasons. First off, of course, it would put the Jazz in that ideal side of the bracket I’ve just described. But beyond that, seeing Russell Westbrook and Paul George go up against James Harden and Chris Paul in a seven-game series would be exhilarating.

This pairing would also ensure that no matter what happens in the first round, the Warriors will find themselves in a daunting matchup in round two, be it against the Thunder or the Rockets. Houston won three out of the four regular season matchups and OKC is simply constructed to be a dangerous team come playoff time.

Therefore, if things work out such that this matchup puts the Jazz on the better side of the bracket and later forces Golden State into a hard series before going to the Western Conference Finals, it would be extremely ideal for a Utah team aiming for its best possible shot at a Finals run.

As you can see, it’s going to take a lot for this ideal scenario to actually come into effect. Let’s quickly run down all that has to happen:

April 9: Denver beats Utah. OKC beats Houston. Portland beats Los Angeles.

April 10: Dallas beats San Antonio. OKC beats Milwaukee. LA beats Utah. Portland beats Sacramento.

So what are you going to cheer for, Jazz fans? That each of these items fall into place, including the Jazz losing to create an ideal first and second round bracket situation? Or the less stressful path that Houston beats OKC and the final two Jazz games become largely inconsequential?

I’ll leave that choice up to each individual. All I can say, though, is that these last two days of NBA action are bound to be packed with drama. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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