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10 Matchups We Want To See In The 2017 NBA Playoffs

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 1, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) is guarded by Boston Celtics point guard Marcus Smart (36) during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) is guarded by Boston Celtics point guard Marcus Smart (36) during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NBA Playoffs
Mar 13, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; LA Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) pushes Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) away from LA Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Utah Jazz won the game 114-108. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Western Conference First Round: No. 4 Utah Jazz vs. No. 5 Los Angeles Clippers

Does any potential playoff matchup in the first round have as much riding on it for both teams as this one? The Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers are both approaching critical decisions this summer, and the loser of this series could have a drastically different-looking roster in 2017-18.

For the Clippers, they’re one disappointing playoff run away from losing one, two or all of their free agency trio in Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and J.J. Redick. CP3 and Griffin can both opt out of their contracts to become unrestricted free agents, and Redick’s faith in this team isn’t exactly rock solid at the moment.

Without a single conference finals appearance to its name, the Lob City era could be over with a first round exit.

Utah’s situation is not so dire, but with George Hill and probably Gordon Hayward hitting free agency this summer, plus the injury-belabored Derrick Favors hitting free agency next summer, the Jazz front office will need to make some hard decisions about this young team’s ceiling and which pieces of it are worth investing in.

Then there’s the actual on-court matchup in one of the more unpredictable first round series in either conference. Rudy Gobert vs. DeAndre Jordan? Two defensive-minded point guards who are better offensive players than people give them credit for in Chris Paul and George Hill? Lob City’s star-studded Big Three and No. 7 offense against a more balanced, deeper Utah team and its third-ranked defense?

As of right now, the Jazz’s one-game lead over LAC would give them home-court advantage in this series, which could help balance out their lack of playoff experience. The Clippers might be favored either way, but this would be a fun series even without factoring in all the possible ramifications for the loser.