Utah Jazz 2020 Playoff Preview

Season Recap:

After an off-season of high profile acquisitions with an intent to enter the Western Conference’s upper echelon, the Utah Jazz found themselves very much still in the pack rather than separated from it.

Finishing as the 6th seed in the Western Conference with a record of 44-28, Utah’s season has been typified by consistent bouts of inconsistency. Whether due to key players going down with injury or simply slumps, the Jazz were unable to string enough win streaks together to really crack into the upper tier of the West’s elite.

Despite not finishing as high as the franchise would have liked, NBA All-Star debuts came for Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, with the latter showing increased signs of burgeoning stardom. Joining Mitchell in offensive success was key new signing Bojan Bogdanović, who finished his year with a career high 20.2 points per game.

Unfortunately for the Jazz, the Croatian finished his campaign early, needing season-ending surgery on his right wrist, leaving a gaping hole in Utah’s offense. That’s forced head coach Quin Snyder to demand even more out of Mitchell, December acquisition Jordan Clarkson, Joe Ingles and veteran guard Mike Conley.

Upon arriving in Orlando, we saw great competitiveness from the Jazz, who did go a tepid 3-5 in the Bubble. One of those losses has come against their first-round playoff opponent - the Denver Nuggets.

All three contests between Utah and Denver were decided by under six points, with their latest clash in the bubble leading to a nail biting 132-134 Utah loss in double-overtime. The Nuggets won the season series 3-0.

The impending postseason series promises to be a close one; Let’s take a look at what the Jazz will bring to the table.

Biggest Strength: Three-point shooting

As the season rolled on, coach Snyder put a larger focus on three-point shooting, and it helped the Jazz post a team average of 38 percent from deep, good for second in the NBA.

With 35.2 attempts per game, 10th in the league, Utah employs four players who average better than 37 percent from deep, on at least three attempts per game:

• Georges Niang - 40 percent

• Joe Ingles - 39.9 percent

• Royce O’Neale - 37.7 percent

• Mike Conley - 37.5 percent

Add in Mitchell and Clarkson, both of whom shoot 36.6 percent from deep, and you have a variety of shooters who can all drain the ball from range. Couple this shooting ability with smart playmakers in Ingles, Conley and Mitchell, and seeing the ball fizz around the court before leading to a wide open three is a deadly weapon for the Jazz. Utah specifically loves the corner three, one of the most efficient shots in the game.

The Nuggets sit 14th in opponent three-point percentage. This is an area the Jazz can and will need to exploit if they are to progress to the second round of the playoffs.

Biggest Weakness: Bench play

Outside of Jordan Clarkson going off, the Jazz bench is an area of great concern. This will no doubt be a pain point for the Utah Front Office during the offseason.

For now, beyond Clarkson's instant offense and Niang’s hot shooting, the Jazz don’t have reliable enough bench options to come in and impact the game.

While young players like Jarrell Brantley and Miye Oni have shown promising signs with Utah’s starters have been out, it seems like a major ask of the rookies to come in and shape a playoff game.

Team’s X-Factor: Jordan Clarkson

Perhaps one of the more true definitions of “X factor” that you’re likely to see in Orlando’s unique playoff setting, Jordan Clarkson’s microwave scoring is crucial to how long Utah’s postseason lasts.

Clarkson’s averaged 15.6 points per game since donning the Jazz uniform in December, posting a career-high 54.9 effective field goal percentage, while shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from deep.

The former Cavalier has even had success against the Nuggets back in December, scoring a season best 37 points - with 24 in the last quarter alone.

After taking some time to get going in Orlando, Clarkson has regained and built his comfort level. The most explosive Utah player on offense outside of Mitchell, Utah will need Clarkson to fire if they hope to get past the Nuggets.

Players to Watch: Rudy Gobert

One of the most exciting matchups in the first round of the playoffs, Rudy Gobert vs Nikola Jokić will be a titanic clash between two of the best centers in basketball.

Despite Gobert’s status as arguably the best defensive player in the NBA, it’s also no secret that Jokić has given the Frenchman the business on several occasions.

The Joker averaged 29.3 points over their three meetings this season; Gobert had no answer for the Serb. This was especially true during the most recent tilt.

In the first half, Gobert and the Jazz did show signs of progress. Utah’s defense was focused, and the pace of the game didn’t allow for the Nuggets to get into rhythm. Unfortunately, the Jazz relented, and Jokic scored 28 second half points.

Mitchell, Conley, O’Neale and Ingles must make things easier for Gobert, so he can at least try to halve the contest against Denver’s superstar center.

Estimated Playoff Run: A tough first-round exit

Both teams have some really intriguing similarities and matchups going into a seven game series. The battle at center has already been discussed, and both Mitchell and Jamal Murray have the ability to put on explosive offensive performances in the backcourt.

Where the Nuggets may have an advantage is their third scorer. Rookie Michael Porter Jr. - arguably THE breakout star of the NBA’s bubble action - averaged 22 points on an eye watering 55/42/93 statline.

The 6”10 forward, whether starting or providing punch off the bench, is a major issue for the Jazz. Posting 23 points on 7 of 18 from the field and a poor 1 from 8 from deep, even in one of his more inefficient games in the bubble, the 22-year old gave Utah a serious headache.

His scoring ability may be the difference in a tight series, though the Jazz will not die wondering. I expect this series to go right down to the wire, but the Nuggets may just sneak over the line.

Denver in 6.