Jazz clinch 1st playoff berth since 2012


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SALT LAKE CITY — Postseason NBA action is coming back to Utah.

Thanks to a Denver Nuggets blowout loss to the New Orleans Pelicans Sunday evening, the Utah Jazz have clinched a playoff berth, the team's first since 2012.

Denver's loss meant that the Jazz were able to qualify for the playoffs in March, despite a recent rough stretch for the Jazz, during which they've lost four of five games.

They also received help from the Sacramento Kings Sunday. Facing an 18-point deficit to the LA Clippers with just five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Kings stormed all the way back to win, 98-97 in regulation. That means the Jazz still have a one-game lead on the Clippers for the fourth seed and the associated home court advantage in the first round.

That being said, the Clippers have a far easier schedule than the Jazz for the rest of the season. The Jazz face the San Antonio Spurs twice, the Portland Trail Blazers twice, the Golden State Warriors once, and the Washington Wizards once.

Meanwhile, the Clippers face just three playoff-quality opponents.

The playoff berth is a significant milestone in the rebuilding process. Since winning only 25 games three seasons ago, the Jazz have won 38, 40, and now 44 games (with nine to play) in the Quin Snyder era.

Playoff tickets go on sale on the Jazz's website beginning Monday at 10 a.m.

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Andy Larsen

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