Can the Jazz Hold on to Top Spot in the West?

With 26 games remaining, the Utah Jazz have the best record in the NBA.

With 26 games remaining in the regular season, the Utah Jazz have the best record in the NBA. Can they hold on to the top spot in the Western Conference? Let's take a look at their remaining strength of schedule, and compare it against the teams they are competing against for the top spot.

Utah Jazz

The Jazz have the easiest schedule in the Western Conference the rest of the way. Their remaining schedule ranks #28 out of 30 NBA schedules according to tankathon. If they can consistently beat the NBA bottom dwellers, they have a great chance to maintain the top spot in the conference.

Phoenix Suns

The Suns sit in the second spot in the Western Conference, and 3.0 games behind the Jazz. That might not last long, however, as the Suns have one of the most difficult remaining schedules in the NBA. Their remaining schedule ranks #5 out of 30 teams according to tankathon. The Suns might end up sliding to the #3 or even the #4 seed by the playoffs.

LA Clippers

The Clippers' remaining SOS (strength of schedule) ranks #22 in the NBA. The Clippers are 1.5 games behind the Suns in the standings and 4.5 games behind the Jazz. The Clippers could surpass the Suns in the standings by season's end and go into the Playoffs as the #2 seed. 

LA Lakers

The Lakers might be in trouble. At the time of this article, they are the #4 seed out West and they are without stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. In addition, the Lakers have a very difficult remaining schedule - their remaining SOS ranks #4 in the NBA. The Lakers are in danger of sliding in the standings, and finishing the season as low as the #6 seed.

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets won't threaten the Jazz for the top spot in the Western Conference, but they could move up a couple seeds. As things currently stand, their are the #5 seed out West, with a remaining SOS of #20. The Nuggets could finish as high as the #3 seed.

How to Watch Utah Jazz @ Memphis Grizzlies

The Utah Jazz will take on the Memphis Grizzlies tonight at 6pm MST at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. Jazz fans can watch the game on AT&T SportsNet. They can also tune into the games on 97.5FM or 1280AM.

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