NBA Week 12 Power Rankings: Questions for each team after the break

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 05: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) DeAndre Jordan #6 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz at Barclays Center on January 05, 2021 in New York City. The Nets defeated the Jazz 130-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

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118. . 28-9. Previous: 2nd. Utah Jazz. 2. team

Last Week: Beat Houston Rockets 114-99

This Week: 3/14 at Golden State Warriors, 3/16 at Boston Celtics, 3/18 at Washington Wizards, 3/19 at Toronto Raptors

Question: Can the Utah Jazz make it to the Western Conference Finals?

This is the question on the minds on most people outside of Salt Lake City every time they consider the Utah Jazz. So far the best team of the season, how serious are the title chances for a team without a top 15 player (in most people’s estimations) when they have to go through the gauntlet that is the Western Conference playoffs.

At this point in the season, the Jazz have to like their chances. They remain the only team in the league in the top five of both offensive and defensive rating. Rudy Gobert is in the running for Defensive Player of the Year. Mike Conley is an advanced stat darling. Finally, they lead the league in 3-point attempts per game and rank third in percentage.

The Jazz are also 13-5 against the Western Conference, with wins coming twice against the Phoenix Suns, twice at the LA Clippers (with a third at home) and an undressing of the reigning champion Los Angeles Lakers.

It is understood that there is a need to prove it in the postseason, especially after blowing a 3-1 against the Denver Nuggets last year. However, that team did not have this Mike Conley or any Bojan Bogdanovic. The Jazz are for real.