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Weighing the Clippers’ chances of making the playoffs

By Abhishek S

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 3: Tobias Harris
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 3: Tobias Harris /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MAY 6: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz shoots the ball against the Houston Rockets during Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MAY 6: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz shoots the ball against the Houston Rockets during Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

UTAH JAZZ

Initiating the 2017 off-season in the worst possible fashion, many believed the loss of All-Star Gordon Hayward would instantly eliminate the team’s competitive edge. With the 6’9 versatile forward relocating to the East, the Jazz were presumed to lack an established threat on the offensive end. However, a fruitful draft followed by the astute trade for the former Timberwolves general, Ricky Rubio, had seen them upset the odds by procuring a laudable 48 win season. The speedily rising rookie, Donovan Mitchell, accompanied by ‘The Stifle Tower’, Rudy Gobert, engaged in pivotal roles in their journey to the second round of the knockout phase. Accommodating a European methodology, Quin Snyder help usher a winning culture to Salt Lake City.

Fresh contracts offered to veteran forward Derrick Favors and uber athletic guard Dante Exum will help restore balance to their team. The drafting of Grayson Allen, who was the centerpiece of the Duke Blue Devils, will furnish them a crafty two-way player off the bench. However, minimal enhancements to the roster will pose Snyder a strenuous assignment for the upcoming season. It would be fascinating to note if the Jazz could yet again devise a blueprint to make the playoffs for the third successive season.

PROBABLE STARTING 5: Ricky Rubio; Donovan Mitchell; Joe Ingles; Derrick Favors; Rudy Gobert

PLAYOFF LIKELIHOOD: 6/10

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