Jazz Staying Alive For The #8 Spot

     The regular season is coming to a rapid close and the Jazz find themselves 2 games back of Houston and Denver for the #8 spot. With only 5 games to go, things don't look so bright for the Jazz, who have dropped 2 games in a row @ New Orleans and  @ Memphis.  But there is reason to hope and feel confident that the Jazz will make the playoffs this year.
        First off, the Jazz have 4 of their 5 games at Energy Solutions Arena. They play Dallas, Orlando, Portland, and Phoenix all at home. Dallas will be a tough home game, but the Jazz are a good home team this year at 21-8, and they also get amped up for big home games. Dallas is a big home game, and the Jazz will be pumped to play come Monday. There's no reason to not think the Jazz can't finish with at least 4 more wins in total, maybe even finish on a 5 game winning streak. The schedule could be a lot worse.
      Second reason to have hope is Denver and Houston play each other twice. If one of those two teams can win both games, that would help the Jazz out immensely. Also, the Jazz hold the tiebreaker with both teams which means they don't have to get ahead of any of them. They just need to tie them.
     Third reason to have hope for the Jazz to make the playoffs is their opponents are banged up. Orlando probably won't play with Dwight Howard and we all know how bad they have been even when he's on the floor. Orlando should be a free win. Lamarcus Aldridge is done for the season, so the Jazz should beat the Blazers at home and in Portland (there one remaining road game).
     The fourth reason to have hope is they get to avenge their loss to the Suns. They play the Suns one more time and it's in SLC. That could be a huge game that decides a playoff spot and luckily for the Jazz the game is in Utah. I don't see the Suns escaping with a win in Utah for a second time. I expect the Jazz to  beat them this time around. They are going to be motivated to beat the pulp out of Phoenix and at least make sure they don't get a playoff spot.
   The fifth reason to have hope for is the Rockets are sliding. The Rockets like Utah have lost 2 games in a row, and I wouldn't be surprised if Denver beats them twice in a row which would total their losing streak to 4. At that point, the wheels could really come off Houston and thanks to their arch-rival Denver Nuggets, the Jazz may end up getting the #8 spot.
  Now I know some of you Jazz fans are kinda hoping the Jazz miss the playoffs so they can enter the lottery and get a good draft pick. Do remember that the Jazz possess the Warriors first round pick top 7 protected. So, the Jazz may still end up with a really good draft pick. Also, I personally think this team would learn and grow a lot from a playoff series. Coach Corbin would also get some playoff coaching experience, etc. It would do wonders for all the young talent the Jazz already possess. Hayward, Burks, Favors, Kanter, and Jefferson would all taste post season basketball. Devin Harris and Paul Millsap would be back in the playoffs again, etc. I think making the playoffs would be great for the Jazz and their young team. Even if they get swept. It would be great for the franchise and be a good stepping stone in the progression of the Jazz. Let's hope the stars align and all this happens so we can see the Jazz in the playoffs in a couple of weeks!!!