1st Choice – Utah Jazz
While the Jazz have shown encouraging form in the build up to the NBA All-Star game there are several factors that make them a favorable matchup for the Clippers, should they be seeded with them.
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The Jazz have a fairly deep roster, with Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors touted as future All-Stars, and Rudy Gobert likely to always be in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year. However, their shortcomings at the point guard position (nobody on the whole team averages above 3.5 assists a game) would make them easy pickings for a veteran like Chris Paul.
You would think it would be a series that Pablo Prigioni could provide excellent minutes in as well, to try and get Paul some rest after a concerning volume of minutes played in Blake’s absence this season.
The Jazz are a young team who haven’t been to the postseason since they were swept 4-0 by the Spurs in the 2012 playoffs. With the emergence of Rodney Hood, the Jazz have certainly got better, but they would still likely only take one game off the Clippers at best.
Next: Why Jeff Green is not the solution for the Clippers
In spite of a great home record, the Jazz have the worst road record of any of the teams on this list, and are therefore least likely to throw a surprise over a seven-game series.
As it stands this season: 1-1.
(Utah lead series 2-0 in playoffs history).