Point Differential Against Potential Opononents
-7.3 vs Okc (all losses)
-12.25 vs golden state (all losses)
-20.5 vs Spurs (all losses)
Injury Notes
-Jazz didn't have Gobert and Mack against Okc in 2 of the 3 games
Alec Burks played in both the games that Gobert and Mack didn't
-Jazz didn't have Gobert in 1 of the Golden State games and Mack wasn't there for 2
Alec Burks played in 2 of the 4
-Jazz didn't have Gobert, Favors and Mack in 1 each and Alec missed all 3 against the Spurs
(I believe that all opponents starters were healthy in all of their games, but I don't remember for certain.)
Put simply, the Jazz need to try and get up to 6th by winning out. OKC is the best matchup the Jazz have. Now, let's say that 6 is out of reach. The Spurs have romped on the Jazz all year, albeit against an oft injured team. The data is probably skewed by these losses, but on the surface the Spurs are just a terrible matchup. That 2 point loss earlier this week actually helped this number a ton too because going into the game the point differential was 27 (yikes). Should a situation arise where a loss is the difference between the 8th and 7th seed without worrying about falling out of playoffs, it might be in the Jazz best interest to lose and take the 8th. Jazz play Golden State far better, although again the data might be skewed because they were generally healthy for these games.
In a series, I think we can all safely say the Jazz probably won't advance. Outside of the data and just based on what my eyes have seen, the Jazz struggle against the Spurs. It seems like Hayward can't do anything against them and the team turns it over too much to last a series with a disciplined team that plays smart and has years and years of playoff experience. Golden State is the defending champion, but at least the Jazz can hang with them in Salt Lake. Plus, I think the Jazz style gives Golden State fits and it would be fun to steal a game from them on national television. Also, anything the Jazz can do to rough them up heading into round 2 would be beneficial. It comes down to Okc, who honestly, has some match up problems too in Durant and Westbrook, but they aren't as experienced and the Jazz have fought with them limping all year and done fine. Extra bonus, the Jazz get to battle Kanter for more motivation. Imagine the Booker vs. Enes battles on and off the court!
It's not to early to start thinking ahead.
If the Jazz take care of business, it's playoff time baby!
Go Jazz!
-7.3 vs Okc (all losses)
-12.25 vs golden state (all losses)
-20.5 vs Spurs (all losses)
Injury Notes
-Jazz didn't have Gobert and Mack against Okc in 2 of the 3 games
Alec Burks played in both the games that Gobert and Mack didn't
-Jazz didn't have Gobert in 1 of the Golden State games and Mack wasn't there for 2
Alec Burks played in 2 of the 4
-Jazz didn't have Gobert, Favors and Mack in 1 each and Alec missed all 3 against the Spurs
(I believe that all opponents starters were healthy in all of their games, but I don't remember for certain.)
Put simply, the Jazz need to try and get up to 6th by winning out. OKC is the best matchup the Jazz have. Now, let's say that 6 is out of reach. The Spurs have romped on the Jazz all year, albeit against an oft injured team. The data is probably skewed by these losses, but on the surface the Spurs are just a terrible matchup. That 2 point loss earlier this week actually helped this number a ton too because going into the game the point differential was 27 (yikes). Should a situation arise where a loss is the difference between the 8th and 7th seed without worrying about falling out of playoffs, it might be in the Jazz best interest to lose and take the 8th. Jazz play Golden State far better, although again the data might be skewed because they were generally healthy for these games.
In a series, I think we can all safely say the Jazz probably won't advance. Outside of the data and just based on what my eyes have seen, the Jazz struggle against the Spurs. It seems like Hayward can't do anything against them and the team turns it over too much to last a series with a disciplined team that plays smart and has years and years of playoff experience. Golden State is the defending champion, but at least the Jazz can hang with them in Salt Lake. Plus, I think the Jazz style gives Golden State fits and it would be fun to steal a game from them on national television. Also, anything the Jazz can do to rough them up heading into round 2 would be beneficial. It comes down to Okc, who honestly, has some match up problems too in Durant and Westbrook, but they aren't as experienced and the Jazz have fought with them limping all year and done fine. Extra bonus, the Jazz get to battle Kanter for more motivation. Imagine the Booker vs. Enes battles on and off the court!
It's not to early to start thinking ahead.
If the Jazz take care of business, it's playoff time baby!
Go Jazz!
