The J-Notes
Fansided

Ranking the 3 remaining In-Season Tournament teams the Utah Jazz have to face during Group Play

By Chad Porto

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 28: Eric Gordon #23 of the Phoenix Suns puts up a shot ahead of John Collins #20 of the Utah Jazz during the NBA game against the Utah Jazz at Footprint Center on October 28, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Jazz 126-104. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty ImagJohn Collins #20 of the Utah Jazz
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 28: Eric Gordon #23 of the Phoenix Suns puts up a shot ahead of John Collins #20 of the Utah Jazz during the NBA game against the Utah Jazz at Footprint Center on October 28, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Jazz 126-104. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty ImagJohn Collins #20 of the Utah Jazz /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – OCTOBER 14: Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz shoots over Moses Brown #10 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half of a preseason NBA game at Delta Center on October 14, 2023 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, UTAH – OCTOBER 14: Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz shoots over Moses Brown #10 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half of a preseason NBA game at Delta Center on October 14, 2023 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) /

2. Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers are a rebuilding squad that may be as easy an out as the Memphis Grizzlies, but maybe not. The Blazers took the Los Angeles Lakers to the limit recently and despite not having Damian Lillard anymore, the Blazers still have some stellar scorers on the team, like second-year guard Shaedon Sharpe.

That isn’t all they have, as Jermi Grant is having a solid year offensively, and Malcolm Brogdon is someone who is putting up stats everywhere on the stat sheet. If Brogdon could improve his shooting figures, he’d probably have a first-round pick or two offered up for him by now.

Not to mention, that guys like DeAndre Ayton and Scoot Henderson are on the team. While both men are just treading water for right now, both could have breakout games at any point, and considering how bad the Jazz’ defense has been, it could be against Utah.

By no means is this intended to say that the Blazers are a good squad, they aren’t and they shouldn’t be. They’re very young and most of their players over 25 will likely get traded if a deal is offered. But as long as they have these pieces in place, they are going to be able to match the pace of most teams offensively.

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