Shots Didn’t Fall…
Oh, what a difference a week makes. The Jazz sat in fifth place in the West, but now they’re sitting in the final spot in the West and missing out on the playoffs is quite possible, however, I don’t see that happening.
It’s highly likely Utah makes the Playoffs, but where they get seeded could dramatically help their chances at a title run. They essentially need to finish anywhere besides the eighth and final spot and avoid playing the Rockets in the first round.
It’s too bad they don’t play in the east.
“If the @utahjazz were in the East, they would be in the NBA Finals.” — @RealSkipBayless pic.twitter.com/Vqx1K9H86v
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) March 26, 2018
According to the official NBA website, “The Jazz have been one of the best teams in the league in keeping their opponents’ 3-point attempts down, but teams have shot 48 percent from mid-range and 37 percent from 3-point range in their six losses since Rudy Gobert’s return in mid-January (compared to 38 percent and 33 percent in their 24 wins over that stretch). Potential first-round opponents Golden State, Houston and Portland rank first, second and sixth in effective field goal percentage from outside the paint, respectively.”
They gave the Jazz a ranking at No. 6 (last week No.5).
New week, new #NBA Power Rankings! 🚨
1️⃣ @HoustonRockets
6️⃣ @utahjazzMore ➡ https://t.co/r6VVVYlKzn pic.twitter.com/WrtbPmSHnD
— NBA.com (@NBAcom) March 26, 2018
Let’s see where they rank based on other national opinions.
CBS Sports give Utah their highest ranking of the week coming in at No. 3 (last week No. 5)
“Jazz fans are probably wondering what could have been lately. Their run started with the emergence of Donovan Mitchell, but if Rudy Gobert had never gotten injured, this team would arguably have an even higher seed in the ultra-competitive West.”
Bleacher Report ranked the Jazz at No.4 (last week No. 4).
The Jazz are still worthy of a top-five spot, and Rudy Gobert has a lot to do with that. Gobert told Kyle Goon of the Salt Lake Tribune,
“I don’t like to make my own case, but there’s nobody who impacts the game defensively like I do in the whole world…I watch a lot of games, and I don’t see anyone. Draymond had a great year last year, and he was close. But this year, it’s not close.”
ESPN has them ranking at No. 10 (last week No. 6)
“[Mitchell] recorded his fourth 35-point game of the season on Friday, tied for second-most by any rookie in the past 20 seasons. Only Carmelo Anthony in 2003-04 had more with six such games (Anthony lost out on Rookie of the Year that season to James).”
Sports Illustrated ranks the Jazz at No. 10 (last week No. 6).
USA Today have the Jazz sitting at No. 11 (last week No. 7)
“Since Rudy Gobert returned on Jan. 19, the Jazz are 24-6 and have a league-best defensive rating (97.5 points allowed per 100 possessions). They have, however, lost two of their last four games and are still in danger of falling out of the West’s top eight.”
Overall the Jazz come out with an overall power ranking of No. 7. With only eight games left this season, let’s hope they get back on the winning track this week against the Celtics, Grizzlies, and Timberwolves.
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