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SALT LAKE CITY — The Western Conference playoff race is intensifying, and with each passing game, the likelihood of the Jazz clinching a spot in the conference’s final eight grows slimmer and slimmer.
With only five games remaining, the Jazz are 1 ½ games behind No. 8 seed Houston and a ½ game behind No. 9 seed Phoenix.
Each game is a must win.
Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin remains optimistic, however.
''We aren't out of it by any stretch of the imagination,'' Corbin said to the Associated Press. ''Plus, we want to continue to grow as a team. These experiences this time of year are invaluable to us. We are getting in game situations and pressure situations to grow and learn how to play.''
Utah power forward Paul Millsap said trying to lock up a spot in the playoffs will be a physical and mental challenge.
''We know it's going to take a lot of hard work at first, then it is going to take focus,'' Millsap said to the Associated Press. ''We have to have focus, and we have to stick to what we do for 48 minutes. In the past, we haven't been doing that, and it's costing us right now.''
The Jazz are riding a two-game losing streak, having lost to the Hornets and Grizzlies in demoralizing fashion.
Against New Orleans, the Jazz and Hornets played a closely contested basketball game for three quarters, but New Orleans' Eric Gordon went off in the fourth quarter for 10 points while scoring seven straight during a 13-0 run putting the Hornets up for good.
In Saturday’s game against the Grizzlies, the Jazz held a six-point lead entering the fourth quarter, only to have O.J. Mayo score 17 of his 20 points in the final stanza, rallying Memphis to a 103-98 victory.
In both games, the Jazz couldn’t guard a guard with a hot hand.
Despite the back-to-back losses, the Jazz can make up ground in the playoff race by taking care of business at home. Four of their five remaining games will be played at EnergySolutions Arena, and the five-game stretch begins tonight as they face the Dallas Mavericks.
While the Jazz have had success at home this season — they have a 21-8 record there to this point — they’ve struggled against the Mavericks losing seven straight and nine of their last 11 meetings, including a home loss on Jan. 19 at ESA. A Jazz loss would complete a Mavericks sweep of the Jazz for the second consecutive season.
The Mavericks enter tonight’s game as the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference with a 34-27 record. Dallas is coming off a 112-108 loss to the Kobe Bryant- less Lakers on Sunday. Dirk Nowitzki scored 24 points and 14 rebounds in the loss. Dallas had won three straight prior to Sunday’s loss, picking up wins over Sacramento, Golden State and Portland.
The Jazz will be short-handed again Monday night against the Mavericks. Jeremy Evans (ankle) is a game-time decisions, DeMarre Carroll (mild concussion) has been cleared to play. CJ Miles, Raja Bell, Josh Howard and Earl Watson all out.
The game takes place at 7 p.m. and will be televised by Root Sports.
Jarrod is a freelance writer who writes Jazz previews for KSL.com. You can follow Jarrod Hiatt on Twitter at @jarrodhiatt.
