Win Or Go Home? Not Yet…

Posted by Aaron Heaton on April 16, 2008
Aaron Heaton

I remember the NBA schedule for the 2007-2008 season being relased last year.  I looked immediately at the last week of the season because that is the one stretch of games when the Spurs probably will not play like four time champions.  The Suns will have cooled off.  The chip on the Mavs’ shoulder will be less motivating.  The Lakers…  well..  who cared about the Lakers back then.  The point is that teams often have their playof seed determined going into those last few games.  As a result, coaches mail it in, resting their starters and allowing reserves to steal the spotlight (much like Miami has done for the last several months). 

'Tough Stretch' (Melissa Majchrzak -NBAE/Getty Images) 

‘Tough Stretch’ (Melissa Majchrzak -NBAE/Getty Images)

Because of that tendency, I was happy to see our last six games come against the likes of San Antonio (twice), New Orleans, Dallas, Denver, and Houston.  However, a week ago, as the importance of those games continued to pressurize, I dreaded that stretch run.  As it turns out, it has been a perfect test run through various playoff atmospheres without thrusting the Jazz into the cellar of the playoff seeding. 

With our last regular season game slated for tonight at 6:30pm, one last question remains.  Should the Jazz even want to win t’nite in San Antonio? 

With the win, the Jazz would break their rather embarrassing string of defeats in San Antonio dating back to last century.  More importantly, we would lock up the 3 seed, have come court in the first round, and start the playoffs playing the Spurs, Suns, or Rockets.  With a loss, we would remain the 4 seed, and almost certainly start the playoffs on the road in Houston or Phoenix (most likely Houston).   

So what playoff scenario is most favorable?

On the one hand, the Jazz are the best home team in the NBA and should do anything to secure that advantage if only for the first round.  On the other hand, everyone in the west seems to want to be the one to launch the Yao-less Rockets from the playoffs, and a 3 seed would likely deny the Jazz that opportunity.  Moreover, being the 3 seed would open the door to possibly playing San Antonio in the first round, and increasing our odds of playing Phoenix, two teams that have tasted play-off success in the past. 

Now, those who believe in NBA karma may cite Dallas’ miscue from a year ago as reason enough to play your hearts out and let chips fall where they may.  Last year, despite having suffered convincing defeats at the hands of Golden State earlier in the season, the Mavericks rested starters and played “And-1″ style during their final meeting during the last week of the season, knowing full well that a Golden State win would make a first round matchup that much more likely.  Mavs have regretted it ever since. 

All of that aside, perhaps the best (or only) determining factor requires looking ahead to round two.  Assuming the Lakers (1 seed) and Hornets (2 seed) take care of business, who would we rather meet in the conference semis?  I am certainly not shaking at the prospect of playing the Lakers, but who woudln’t want to see D.will lace ‘em up across from CP3 for 7 games?  For that reason alone, I’ll take our chances with the 3 seed and first round home court.  Either way, I’ll be watchin’ t’nite. 

| Tweet This | | Join the discussion in our Forums

Related Posts

How the West will be won

Posted on February 18, 2008
‘Tony - Making the Calls’ (Stephen Dunn - NBAE/Getty Images)
‘Perception’ (Melissa Majchrzak – NBAE/Getty Images)

2nd Round Schedule

Posted on May 5, 2008

Trade, Fade, or Gatorade

Posted on February 7, 2008
‘New Addition’ (Chris Trotman - NBA/Getty Images)

Leave Your Comment


How do I get an avatar for my comments?
It is easy and completely free. Just go to Gravatar.com and sign-up with your email address. Gravatar is globally recognized, so your avatar will show on every Gravatar-enabled website or blog.

 

Fan Flickr Stream

Andy-Dodgeball Leader & JazzbotJR StewartJazzbots Team 2009-2010AnnieJazzbots Team 2009-2010Derrick Daye-The Blake ProjectJazzbots Team 2009-2010Price Fan & Jazzbot NancyJazzbots Team 2009-2010

Recent Comments

    Caleb Hicks on November 6, 2009 said:

    "@Deb Best idea yet. You have to ask him! On that note, I wonder..."

    ranell on November 6, 2009 said:

    "definitely true……&# 8230;……g ogogo JAZZ"

    Deb on November 6, 2009 said:

    "It seems to me that if you scrape up enough money for Jazz tickets, parking..."

    Ben H on November 6, 2009 said:

    "Fun night! Was nice to meet everyone! I got the first pick, so I went..."

Jazz Polls

  • Can Carlos Boozer Win You Back As A Fan?

    View Results

    Loading ... Loading ...

Recent Readers

Monthly Archives