You know what... now that I'm looking at it, this week the Jazz could do wonders locking up the 4th.
So the Jazz have 9 games left. v Pelicans, @ Kings, v Wizards, @ Spurs, v Blazers, v Wolves, @ Blazers, @ Warriors, v Spurs.
The Clippers only have 7 games left. v Wizards, @ Suns, v Lakers, v Mavs, @ Spurs, v Rockets, v Kings.
The Thunder have 10 games left. @ Mavs, @ Magic, v Spurs, v Hornets, v Bucks, @ Grizzlies, @ Suns, @ Nuggets, @ Wolves, v Nuggets
Jazz go 5-4
Clippers would have to go 6-1 for 4th since division winner owns tiebreaker
Thunder would have to go 8-2 for 4th.
IF Thunder go 8-2, Clippers could go 5-2 for 5th, dropping Jazz to 6th in 3-way tie
Jazz go 4-5
Clippers would have to go 5-2 for 4th
Thunder would have to go 7-3 for 4th
IF Thunder go 7-3, Clippers could go 4-3 for 5th, dropping Jazz to 6th in a 3-way tie
Jazz go 3-6
Clippers would have to go 4-3 for 4th
Thunder would have to go 6-4 for 4th
IF Thunder go 6-4, Clippers could go 3-4 for 5th, dropping Jazz to 6th in a 3-way tie
I don't think it's out of the question to expect the Jazz to be favored in 5 of the remaining 9. v Pelicans, @ Kings, v Wizards, v Blazers, v Wolves. Maybe GS or SAS if they rest. But the Clippers should also be favored in 5 or even 6 (if Rockets rest) of their remaining 7.
