OT: Jazz 0-8 vs top 9 WC teams on the road

Just to put things in perspective... And they have 7 more to play.

 

I think you left out that at least Boozer,AK, or Deron didn't play in those games, and the injury bug was in full affect....they also weren't playing as crisp offensively as they are now.

 

Regardless, Utah has been dominant at home and struggled to win on the road last year, too.

It's not an uncommon trend.

I'd also wager that SLC's and Portland's relative isolation from many of the other teams in the conference plays a factor. It's easier to go from LA to Phoenix than from SLC or Portland to Phoenix. Maybe the longer plane rides contributes to a disadvantage for the visiting team?

 

Utah's elevation is 4,226 FT, similar to Denver, that's why Utah usually seems like they get stronger in the 2nd half of games because teams aren't familiar with the elevation, so they get tired quicker. That's why you see Utah run more at home than you would on the road. Utah is already talented, but a slight advantage like this can be all the difference coming down the stretch.

 

The Jazz will get their road record up there by season's end, but I still see their ceiling as a conference semifinalist, and having to pull off an upset to get to the WCF.
That's what that franchise always has been like, not that it's bad, but they still need something to get them to that elite level status.

 

So they're basically very similar to the Blazers. Man, if it end's up 4 and 5 with them and the Blazers, we better hope the Blazers are the 4. I would expect that to be a series of ridiculously lopsided games.

 

The Blazers have a good chance to catch and pass Utah to win the NW Division.

Utah has 9 games left against the top 9 teams in the West - 7 on the road. They also have a three game road trip coming up against three Eastern Conference play-off teams who all play well at home (ATL 22-7, MIA 22-11, ORL 24-7). Of their 18 remaining games, only 7 are at home.

The Blazers have 7 games left against the top 9 teams in the West - but only 2 of them are on the road. Of the Blazers remaining 19 games, 10 are on the road, but 6 of them are against teams that are sub-.500 for the season.

BNM

 

Utah is playing damn well right and it they continue to do so they will win... whether at home or on the road. Schedule is part of it... sure... but we won games with a tough schedule early.

 

No doubt Utah is playing better, but of their current 12-game winning streak only 4 have been on the road - all against teams with sub-.500 records. Until they beat a good team on the road, I'm not ready to concede the division title to them.

Actually, their current 12-game winning streak is VERY similar to the Blazers 13-game streak last season. Most of the wins have come at home - including some over some very good teams - and they haven't had any extended road trips - until now. Everybody rememeber what happened to the Blazers after they hit the road following the 13-game winning streak? Suddenly they didn't look so invincible.

I expect a similar nose dive by the Jazz with their extremely tough, road-heavy remaining schedule. I'm not saying they will lose all their road games, but I don't see them even winning half of their remaining 11 on the road. I think 5 - 6 is optimistic. 4 - 7 more likely.

BNM

 

What was their excuse last year?

Mark it down. We will finish ahead of Utah next month.

 

the jazz have 11 road games left(including tonight's game against atlanta). 10 of them are against teams with winning records. if they bring their road record up against their remaining road schedule, they'll be a legitimate contender for the finals.

 

Yes. But on the flip side, the Jazz are healthy, and the Blazers are nursing a bunch of injuries: Webster; Oden; Blake just hurt his hand; Roy just hurt his hand; Rudy is banged up; Bayless is recovering from flu. I hope the team can overcome it and guys like Batum, Outlaw, Sergio and Frye can step up. However, I wouldn't be surprised if the team doesn't play as well as it can until it gets more healthy.

 

It is going to be very interesting to see what the Jazz can do the rest of the way. I hope the Blazers will finish ahead of them - but maybe, just maybe - they are getting healthy at the right time.

 

This is a new year bud, & guys like Brewer, Millsap, and Miles are much improved from last year if you haven't noticed. Kirilenko also has also helped make Utah's bench much stronger, the only thing that worries me right now are back-to-backs on the road until Boozer can get back in shape.

 

well the jazz dropped the road game against atlanta.

 

Did anybody watch this game? one of the worst calls ever. ATL up 5 with 30 seconds, the Jazz miss the shot, AtL grabs and secures the rebound (Holding it down at his waste with elbows extended) , Kirilenko who is BEHIND the rebounder reaches over the guys shoulder with both hands,trying to get to the ball, fouls him, and they call a jump ball! The Jazz get the tip, but thankfully missed a two foot shot. This was in Atlanta mind you. The Hawks coach was dumbfounded.

 

Yes. It was Millsap and it was a terrible terrible call.

 

EDIT - NM saw your post

 

It was Brewer, not AK but did you see the illegal screen on Boozer when Bibby flopped? The refs sucked in the 4th both ways, swallowed their whistles on some plays and called stupid calls on others.

 

New year, same crappy team on the road. Utah will probably lose their next two games. Can you say three game losing streak?

Blazers lead the division!

Go Blazers!!