Not sure if this has been posted, or not.............. http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=207187&cl=12408638&ch=244098&src=sports
The # of road games that Utah has left can no longer be used as a reason why they won't win the division. They have the same # we have left. The records of their opponents, though, is tougher than ours (I think).
Of the 10 remaining road games for the Jazz, 9 are against >0.500 teams. You may want to consider this post when weighing their chances in those games. Of the Blazers remaining 10 road games, only 4 are against >0.500 teams. Utah just completed the easiest stretch of their schedule all year - by far. The 12 game winning streak was a result of that very favorable schedule (8 home games and 4 road games against teams that were all at least 10 games <0.500) The toughest part of their schedule is coming up. And, in spite of their 12 game winning streak, the Blazers are still tied with them for 1st place. If they couldn't put the Blazers away with a 12-game winning streak and an easy schedule, how are they going to do it with 9 road games against >0.500 play-off teams? BNM
Utah has had worse injuries this year. Some of that winning streak was just making up ground from their slow start. If I was putting money down from here on out as an impartial fan I'd have to put it on Utah. But we still got a chance
Even healthy (and has Utah REALLY been hit any harder by injuries than Portland), I just don't expect Utah to suddenly start beating good teams on the road. They were a bad road team last year, and are a bad road team this year. Even with a healthy roster, they just lost to Atlanta and Miami on the road. In another thread, I said I thought they'd go 4 - 11 over their last 11 road games - and that was with them winning at least one of those two games. I now may have to revise that prediction downwards. They are now 0 - 2 since I made that prediction, with Orlando up tomorrow after going triple-overtime today. Their road schedule isn't getting any easier. Utah hasn't beaten a >0.500 team on the road since December 19. Based on these last two games, and the quality of their remaining road opponents, I don't see any reason why that trend would suddenly reverse. BNM
I look at the schedules and I would have to go with Denver. They have 10 games against teams under 500 and most of them are at home.
Oh. That's a bummer. I was hoping we might be able to hook up for a beer, or such. I love meeting Blazer fans.
Winning the division is more important to the Jazz, because of how lousy they are on the road. That said, their lousiness on the road may turn out to be the very thing that keeps them from taking the division. If Utah can get home court advantage, I think they're probably 80-90% likely to win their series, regardless of the opponent. If Portland can pull out the division crown, or get home court some other way (fourth best record), then I still think the Blazers are no better than 50-50 to win the series, simply because basically no one on this team has been to the playoffs (Blake and Coach McMillan, and that's it, isn't it?). That, and the other playoff-bound teams all have extensive playoff experience, and have talent that's equal, or better, than Portland's.
Did you miss Utah winning playoff series on the road the last 2 years in the playoffs? For Utah, it more about the match-up than where they play come playoff time. As long they don't get Spurs or Lakers, they should be very competitive in the 1st round on the road or home. Hedo has missed the last 2 games for Orlando, so I don't know his status for tomorrow but in recent history but tomorrow is a big game. After that game, Utah should realistically win 5 of their next 6 games at least then they go to Portland and Denver for 2 big games.
Yes. Deron Williams commented afterwards, it was a how-to video on how to lose games you should have won.
