April Schedule Look Ahead

Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Sing it with me; “It’s the final countdown!” The final month of the regular season is approaching quickly and the Jazz, despite a sea of injuries and close loses, are fighting every night for a final playoff spot. Let’s take a look at their April schedule and make some final predictions.

vs Minnesota (4/1)

A Jazz-Timberwolves match up two years from now could be a bloody playoff battle. For now it’s a game of future potential versus playoff hopeful. If this game were being played in Minnesota, I could give the Timberwolves a much better shot since the Jazz never seem to shoot well at the Target Center. The Jazz will just have played the Warriors and will most likely be looking for a rebound victory. Utah takes it.

Prediction: Jazz win

@ Phoenix (4/3)

The last time the Jazz and the Suns met up it was in Salt Lake and it was all Jazz. With Phoenix hovering near the bottom of the West, it makes little sense for them to put forth any sort of real effort. It’s the time of year when teams will look to either strengthen their playoff outlook or their draft position. Utah and Phoenix are currently on opposite ends of that particular spectrum.

Prediction: Jazz win

vs San Antonio (4/5)

There is a good chance that Gregg Popovich sits his key players, which changes the narrative for this game completely. Regardless, San Antonio absolutely has Utah’s number. I’ll let Utah’s recent record against San Antonio have the edge over the hope of the Spurs resting Leonard and company.

Prediction: Spurs win

vs Los Angeles Clippers (4/8)

Much like the Spurs, the Clippers should be locked into their current playoff seed and could use this game to rest. Even if the Clippers do roll out their full roster, Utah will have a good chance to win. The Jazz have played well against the Clippers all year, even though not all those games resulted in victories for Utah. I’ll take the Jazz on their home court.

Prediction: Jazz win

@ Denver (4/10)

Technically, the Denver Nuggets aren’t out of the race for that final playoff spot, but they might as well be. The Nuggets have given the keys to the car to Emmanuel Mudiay who, while extremely talented, is a turnover machine. It’s possible that Denver will have Danilo Gallinari back from injury but even if he’s healthy, I don’t expect him to play a lot of minutes, if any. The Jazz should roll.

Prediction: Jazz win

vs Dallas (4/11)

Must win alert! This will be Utah’s last matchup against one of their competitors for a final playoff spot. Fortunately for the Jazz, it’s at home. Unfortunately, Dirk Nowitzki has been BALLING for most of March. The Mavericks have basically been playing with a patchwork lineup all year and are still in the hunt. Kudos to Rick Carlisle for the job he’s done in Dallas with that roster. But this is one that Utah has to have and I believe Snyder will have the team ready. Fatigue may be a factor for both teams as each will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back.

Prediction: Jazz win

@ Los Angeles Lakers (4/13)

Kobe Bryant’s last game… It’s going to be an electric atmosphere at Staples Center. Celebrities and NBA legends will be packing the house in hopes to catch one last glimpse of one of the all-time greats. No doubt the Lakers will play harder than they have all season. It wouldn’t shock me if the Lakers pulled it off, but the Jazz have plenty to play for as well. This year’s playoff race could in fact come down to the last game of the season and when it comes to play on the court, Utah certainly has the edge.

Prediction: Jazz win

April record: 6-1