The Utah Jazz Blog

I don’t know if anyone has had a chance to look at the schedule, but March 6^th could be the day the Jazz take control of the third spot in the playoff race in the mighty western conference. I know that you all think that we might be crazy and getting ahead of ourselves, but this is a window of opportunity that the Jazz simply cannot pass up. Obviously I am being an optimistic Jazz fan, but hey, you are on a Utah Jazz blog! Please pull up your chair, take a seat, take your eyes off your Jazz dancer poster that you just bought and pay attention! The Jazz are currently 3 games back from the first place Denver Nuggets, in the Northwest division. The Jazz were down 6 games to the Nuggets two weeks ago before the all star break, but have managed to narrow that gap by 3 games because of their current six game winning streak. This streak is due in part to AK 47 and Boozer coming back from injury and everyone else stepping up around them while they get their legs back in NBA shape. To help explain my point, I have prepared a neat little chart to help illustrate our window of opportunity.

Date	Jazz	Win / Loss	Games Back	Blazers	Win / Loss	Games Back	Denver	Win / Loss	Games Back
2/26/2009	-	-	3	-	-	2.5	-	-	-
2/27/2009	-	-	2.5	@ Minnesota	Win	2	LA Lakers	Loss	-
2/28/2009	Sacramento	Win	2	-	-	2	-	-	-
3/1/2009	@ Golden State	Win	1.5	San Antonio	Loss	3	@ Indiana	Loss	-
3/2/2009	-	-	1.5	-	-	3	-	-	-
3/3/2009	-	-	1	-	-	2.5	@ Detroit	Loss	-
3/4/2009	Houston	Win	0.5	Indiana	Win	2	-	-	-
3/5/2009	-	-	1	@Denver	Loss	3	Portland	Win	-
3/6/2009	Denver	Win	-	-	-	2.5	@ Utah	Loss	-

We will go ahead and ignore Portland in our little scenario because they don’t have a chance of staying in front of the Jazz (according to my little chart).

The Nuggets have been struggling of late because Nene has been out and will be out for at least two more game against LA and Indiana. I know what you are thinking, why would Denver lose to Indiana? The only reason I am predicting a loss there is because they won’t have Nene and they are on the road. But, we do need to ask for a little help from Detroit who has been losing to pretty much the entire NBA for the last two weeks, but I have a feeling that they will snap out of their funk from a beautifully motivating speech from Joe Dumars before the game. Also, for that game Billups or Iverson could have the game of “I will show you why you shouldn’t have traded me!” Let’s hope that Iverson will step up and not Billups. Denver will then face Portland on Thursday which is on TNT (the late game) at home and then they have the dreaded back to back with Utah on Friday which is also nationally televised on ESPN Friday night.

This won’t be a cake walk for the Jazz either. They have to step up and make a tremendous effort to win out thru the 6^th. The home game with Sacramento should be no problem for the Jazz. LHM’s funeral will be that afternoon and the Jazz will be feeling quite motivated. They have a road game next with Golden State which is a back to back. The Jazz have struggled this season with their back to back games, especially on the road. I think they are 1-9 on the back end of the back to back (ouch). But with the deep bench and the starting five getting more comfortable having Boozer in the lineup, they should be able to handle Golden State on the road.

The only other test, which is the biggest road block for the Jazz to take that third seat is the Houston Rockets. They have been terrorizing the NBA with their stifling defense and their great team play since the permanent loss of Tracy McGrady. The Jazz will be able to gauge how ready they are for the post season with this game and the Denver game. I don’t know if the Jazz can pull off the win against the Rockets. The only reason I am giving them a win right now is because the game is at home for the Jazz. Finally, the Denver game. For all of our loyal readers and listeners, you will know there is one key for any game that will guarantee a win for the Jazz 99% of the time. What is that key you ask? The key is a nationally televised game for Deron Williams to say, “does anyone else not know my name?”

Yes, I know it is a long shot, but I think the Jazz need to seize the opportunity now! They will hit the road for a 5 game road trip that will definitely test their team after the Denver home game. So Jazz fans, get on your feet and get ready for the final push, it should be a good one. Life off, game on. Go Jazz! -BB