This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Five games, five teams, four spots.
For the Jazz and everybody else involved in the scramble in the bottom half of the Western Conference playoff picture, this is getting crazy. In a basic sense, the Jazz's quest remains the same as last week. They're battling with Dallas and Houston for the last two spots, and the April 11 game vs. the Mavericks at Vivint Smart Home Arena appears vital.
The competition is expanding, though. Because of Memphis' collapse, five teams — including the Jazz — mathematically have a shot at the No. 5 seed in the West. Three games separate Memphis (41-36), Portland (41-37), Dallas (39-38), Utah (39-38) and Houston (38-39) with five to play — except for Portland, with four games left.
That seems like a big spread, until you realize that Memphis has lost six straight games, with injuries catching up to the Grizzlies. They haven't clinched anything, even after having stood 41-30. The other major development is how Dallas has righted itself, winning four straight games. So the Mavs remain in the picture, with Houston also doing just enough to give itself a chance.
Dallas (at Minnesota) and Houston (vs. Oklahoma City) each was involved in a one-point game at halftime Sunday and ended up winning, so nothing changed in the Nos. 7-9 spots as the Jazz beat Phoenix on the road. But what makes this stuff interesting is how the Jazz are only two games out of fifth place and 1.5 games out of sixth with five games to play, beginning Tuesday vs. San Antonio.
The Jazz still could miss the playoffs entirely, or they could move into the top six, avoiding Golden State and San Antonio in the first round. Nothing would be easy about facing No. 3 Oklahoma City or the No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers, but let's just say meeting an opponent that actually lost a home game this season would make the Jazz's chances more favorable.
Just imagine where the Jazz would be in this race if they properly finished last Wednesday's game vs. Golden State, instead of losing in overtime. But give them credit for winning the games they're supposed to win, as they did against Minnesota and Phoenix.
The Jazz have created all kinds of possibilities for themselves in this closing stretch of the regular season. Much jockeying remains ahead for these five teams, and somebody is going to be left out of the playoffs. The Jazz shouldn't be that team.
Twitter: @tribkurt