Despite having a self-imposed preview ban, I need to say something about this game. I'm not going to say the Jazz need to do this or do that because that usually what dooms them.
This game though is about as epic as they come for a late regular-season game. The Phoenix game next week might top this by the time that we reach it, but for now, this is it. It's bigger than the Lakers game because, you know, we have a shot at winning this one.
So in case you're just tuning in to the season now because you've been watching the NFL, college football/basketball and you're incapable of following more than one sport at a time, here's where we stand. The Jazz are 50-27on the year and tied record-wise with the Mavericks, Suns, and Nuggets. Yet they're in fourth place in the west because of tie-breakers. Most everyone has just 5 games left in the season and seeds 2-8 are up in the air. You're on top one moment and looking at LA in the first round the next.
The Thunder, who were suppose to just improve this year and not really challenge for a playoff spot yet, has been destroying the league as of yet. They've taken it to the Jazz three times. There have been close games and objectionable (non)calls, but the fact remains that we're 0-3 on the season against them. They also sit just 1 1/2 games back of the Jazz right now.
A loss drops us to 5th in the west while a win will put us 1/2 game up on the other 50-win teams and the second seed again at least for the time being.
So a must win? Cliche that it is, I don't think there's a better way of putting it.
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