Official Round 1 Predictions: Jazz-V-Thunder

[7StraightIsGreat]

Is it official just because I titled it that way? I’ll let the mods decide.

Here’s my thoughts:

-While I think it’s pretty unanimous that we all love what has gone on with this team lately and that we’re only at the beginning of what looks to be a sustainable ascension towards future title contention, I see this series going OKC’s way and the Jazz learning some pretty tough lessons along the way. Lessons that they will use to tweak the roster and come back next season better and more ready to make a serious run.

-I honestly feel like the Portland game was going to dictate whether the Jazz made it out of the 1st round or not. OKC presents plenty of match-up problems as well as being the one team that has a better HC advantage than Utah. If the Jazz had ended up the 3 seed, I figured they could steal one game in OKC considering that I think OKC is too good to expect Utah to not give up one game at home. I still feel like OKC will get 1 game in SLC at some point in this series, which means that the Jazz will have to find a way to win 2 in OKC if they are to advance. I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t think that will happen.

-Official prediction: The Jazz play well in the series, but not good enough. The officiating will drive us crazy, I sense Rudy will have some foul trouble throughout the series, Donovan will have moments that make us salivate for the future and other moments where he looks like an NBA rookie taking his lumps in his first taste of playoff action.

OKC in 6

 

[fishonjazz]

Jazz in 7 baby

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Jazz in 3... we beat them so bad they just decide to quit and not play game 4.

 

[JFFR]

I'm pretty deflated after watching the Blazers dismantle the Jazz's offense for the second time.

But I'm still going to say Jazz in 6.

I'm curious to see what Donovan Mitchell does with Paul George guarding him. I expect him to struggle, which could be good motivation for his summer.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Jazz in 6! Pg never leaves Utah and signs to the minimum in the offseason to be part of something special.

 

[str8line]

OKC in 6.

PG just dropped 40 and Westbrook is in his ****ing prime.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I realize the Portland game was tough but we are on the backend of a back to back... they play a style that gives us issue and no one was making shots.

They were waiting for us at home, fresh and their guys shot well... we lost by 9... it happens.

 

[Hekate]

Jazz in 6

 

[str8line]

Jazz in 6! Pg never leaves Utah and signs to the minimum in the offseason to be part of something special.

He just calls the movers and heads over to Trails.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

The clips last year were better than this OKC team.

Give Quin a couple days to scheme and I have faith we figure this thing out.

If you can get this team on the ropes they go to RW chucking and everyone watching. He’s great but he has some limitations...

 

[One Brow]

Jazz in 6.

 

[str8line]

The optimist in me has us playing like a well-oiled machine and every player stepping up. But Westbrook and PG are on a tear at the moment, I just don't see them being denied.