Could the Jazz possibly...

Pappyman · Post #1 » by **Pappyman** » Thu Feb 4, 2010 6:24 am

win the Northwest Division title this season? If we get Boozer back on Saturday, we likely will beat the Nuggets. Denver has to play at the Lakers before they play us. A Denver loss there and to us would give the Nuggets a 33-18 record. We would have a 31-18 record. We would have to finish with a better record than the Nuggets to win the division because we have lost the season series with them.

Efernand · Post #2 » by **Efernand** » Thu Feb 4, 2010 6:43 am

Obviously its possible, there's still a lot of season to go and anything can happen.

edfmx86 · Post #3 » by **edfmx86** » Thu Feb 4, 2010 6:52 am

I wouldnt say obviously beat the Nuggets...these guys have absolutely owned us this season. But with the Jazz playing like this. Yes, i think we can eventually pass the Nuggets and take our division back

J_Ray · Post #4 » by **J_Ray** » Thu Feb 4, 2010 6:55 am

Aren't the Nuggets the team that beat us during this streak?

Reckless · Post #5 » by **Reckless** » Thu Feb 4, 2010 8:16 am

Even after beating the Blazers twice our record against the Northwest division is 4-7. Division winners don't struggle in their own division(when we won the division in 07-08 we went 10-6 against our division rivals). The best we can finish now in the division is 9-7(need wins in Portland and OKC). Needless to say we still have a lot of work to do if we want to contend for the division crown.

Soul Patch · Post #6 » by **Soul Patch** » Thu Feb 4, 2010 8:38 am

We're in one hell of a division, It'd be a statement if we came out on top of it.

dingojazz · Post #7 » by **dingojazz** » Thu Feb 4, 2010 2:47 pm

The Nugs play @ Lakers Friday night so we will be getting them on a back to back. If they lose to the Lakers, and then we take care of business on Saturday, both teams will have 18 losses.

So hell mother effing yes the Jazz could possibly win the division.

Pappyman · Post #8 » by **Pappyman** » Thu Feb 4, 2010 3:22 pm

Soul Patch wrote:We're in one hell of a division, It'd be a statement if we came out on top of it.

Yeah. The Northwest Division is arguably the strongest division in the NBA. It currently has four teams that would make the playoffs in the Western Conference if the season were to end today. I still like the Jazz's chances, however.

Post #9 » by **DelaneyRudd** » Thu Feb 4, 2010 3:42 pm

We aren't even past the All-star break yet.

kebutah · Post #10 » by **kebutah** » Thu Feb 4, 2010 4:24 pm

Unfortunately, we have 19 of our final 31 on the road. Our regular season success or failure will be determined by how we play on the road.

Ming Kong! · Post #11 » by **Ming Kong!** » Thu Feb 4, 2010 5:12 pm

True, but I think we'll do a pretty decent job on the road, this stretch has been a catalyst that should elevate our level of play on the road. We won 3 of our last 4 road games, and good teams may I add. I think what we need to do is win 50-60% on the road and basically go like 11-1 or 10-2 at worst for that stretch at home. Basically need to try to win 66-70% of the remaining games to be competitive for the 2nd spot. Given we are .625 after a pretty bad start (outside of the last 12 ofcourse), we should be able to accomplish that pretty easily.

tylero87 · Post #12 » by **tylero87** » Thu Feb 4, 2010 5:56 pm

If the Jazz can take care of the opponents they're supposed to beat on the road i.e. Clippers, Bucks, Kings, Wolves, etc. and the jazz continue to compete they way they have against the elite I see no reason why the Jazz can't win the division.

The Jazz do have a road heavy schedule but the toughest opponents are arguably the Lakers, Blazers, and Thunder. At home we get to play the Celtics, Lakers, Nuggets, Rockets, Hawks... So like I said if the Jazz can finally stop losing to inferior teams on the road, and lets say end up with a winning road record the Jazz most certainly have a chance.

And looking at the Nuggets remaining schedule they have a much tougher slate ahead than the Jazz's remaining schedule. 3 more against the Lakers with 2 being on the road, Boston twice, @ Cleveland, @ Orlando, Dallas twice, San Antonio twice, Phoenix twice on the road, etc.

Thus far the Jazz's SOS is .526 which is higher than anyone in the league except Houston.
Nuggets SOS thus far is .480 which is the lowest of any WC team....Knicks, 76ers, and Pacers have had it easier.

Now I know SOS doesn't take into account back to backs, road and home games, etc. But given the Jazz have played the majority of the top teams and have been very successful I would almost expect the Jazz to compete and potentially win the NW division....which hopefully gets the Jazz the 2 seed in the playoffs.

Still a lot of basketball to be played yet.........