Another week, and another twist and turn for our season so far. When March started we had just beaten the Miami Heat at home. Then we went on a road trip where we beat two bad teams, and lost to two good team. Raja Bell was sent home, and then Al Jefferson's grandmother passed away. This gave us more playing time for younger guys. We then beat some teams we expected to, and some teams we did not expect to. And now we're in the playoff hunt. Not even a month after going 4-11 in February.
What a season!
March 2012, Week Four:
This week (because I'm oldschool the week starts on Sunday) the Jazz face off: on the road at the Los Angeles Lakers (who we beat); then take on the Oklahoma City Thunder (Tuesday) at home; the Sacramento Kings (Thursday) on the road; and finish off with the Denver Nuggets (Friday), at home.
We already beat the Lakers, which gives us a head start this week. I felt like going 2-2 this week would be a success. I still contend that it'll be an uphill battle to win more than one remaining game this week. OKC has our number, they've beaten us five straight times -- and the last time we beat them was Oct 31st, 2010, which was back when Andrei Kirilenko and Deron Williams were still starting for us. And Andrei hit two 3s in that game.
Sacramento, in their rejuvenated gym, is never an easy task. They aren't in a #playoff push right now, but they still have DeMarcus Cousins (a legit back to the basket big), and a gaggle of guards who all can hit threes and drive on us. That said, that is precisely the type of game the Jazz need to win if we are going to make the playoffs.
The last game is against the new look Denver Nuggets on the second night of a back to back. The Denver game will also be the 3rd game in four nights, and 5th game in a week. No Nene Hilario means life should be easier for us in the paint; however JaVale McGee is a huge question mark. He can change shots and dunk. Also they could have Wilson Chandler back in time for that game; who'll only improve their impressive wing depth which includes (Danilo Gallinari, Al Harrington, Arron Afflalo, Corey Brewer, Rudy Fernandez, and Kenneth Faried. That'll be a battle for sure.
Call me a stick in the mud, but I think the Jazz finish this week 2-2. What do you think?