While you were sleeping... 25 February 2009

Since we're in the playoff race, I figured I'd start a little something each morning to catch you up with where the Jazz are in the standings on a daily basis and the games from last night that have an impact on that.

We'll ask Carlos Boozer to give us his reaction to each game

LAKERS 107 @ THUNDER 93

No one is probably catching the Lakers at this point.  So while their games aren't likely to impact our place in the standings, we could be first-round opponents.  And even if we were completely out of it, you always root for a Lakers loss.

TRAIL BLAZERS 94 @ ROCKETS 98

We trail both of these teams in the standings.  So having other teams in the west cannibalize each other is a good thing.  Either way, we're going to pick up some ground.  This one gets a smile because it's a division rival that lost.  Portland almost pulled it out but couldn't hit the shot down the stretch when they needed it.  But you can't go wrong with either one on this.

MAVERICK 76 @ SPURS 93

Another game of attrition.  Either way we're in good shape.  I would have liked to have gained ground on the Spurs, but having the Mavs fade away works as well.  The Mavs couldn't win despite Duncan being out.

BOBCATS 102 @ SUNS 112

Didn't expect any help out of this one from the Bobcats.  The Suns are still in the 9th spot in the west though.  Nash tweaked his ankle but should be fine.

So here are the Western Conference standings,

Western Conference
	W	L	PCT	GB	HM	RD	CONF	DIV	PF	PA	DIFF	STRK	L10
LA Lakers	47	10	.825	-	26-4	21-6	30-4	10-1	108.9	100.6	+8.4	Won 5	9-1
San Antonio	38	17	.691	8	19-7	19-10	24-8	8-3	97.6	93.7	+3.9	Won 3	7-3
Denver	37	20	.649	10	20-7	17-13	22-11	7-2	103.2	100.6	+2.6	Lost 3	6-4
Houston	36	21	.632	11	23-6	13-15	23-10	5-5	98.5	94.9	+3.6	Won 5	8-2
Portland	35	21	.625	11 ½	23-5	12-16	17-16	5-4	99.2	95.2	+4.0	Lost 1	6-4
New Orleans	33	22	.600	13	19-9	14-13	21-14	5-3	96.3	93.8	+2.4	Won 1	5-5
Utah	34	23	.596	13	25-6	9-17	23-11	7-3	102.7	99.3	+3.4	Won 5	8-2
Dallas	33	23	.589	13 ½	19-8	14-15	18-16	4-6	100.6	99.3	+1.3	Lost 1	6-4
Phoenix	32	24	.571	14 ½	17-11	15-13	19-13	7-3	106.5	104.3	+2.2	Won 1	6-4

Do you realize that if we were even .500 on the road we're be 38 & 19?  Yikes.  But we're in a good position to start moving up.  It will take a bit to catch Denver right now.  But with two head-to-heads left, we'll certainly have the chance.

Overall grade for the night?  What do you say Booze?

Like I said...  We're not catching the Lakers, so I won't count their wins as bad.  Take them out and we gain ground in 2 of the 3 games.  I'll take that.