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SALT LAKE CITY - Until Wednesday's 112-91 victory over the Blazers, the Jazz had just playoff hopes and dreams. Now, they are in control of their own destiny.
With three games left the Jazz can finish anywhere from as high as sixth to as low as tenth in the West.
Here is a look at Utah's remaining schedule, the contenders for the final playoff spots, where they could end up and who they might play in the first round.
Jazz remaining schedule
After battling for road victories to keep them in the hunt they are now able to enjoy three home games to close the season. The Jazz are 22-8 at home this season so their path into the playoffs will be helped by the crowd at EnergySolutions Arena.
On Saturday the Jazz host Orlando, most likely without superstar center Dwight Howard. The Magic are 36-26, but are 4-8 over their last 12 games. The Jazz won both games last year against the Magic.
The next game is against Phoenix on April 24. The Suns are 2-0 this season against the Jazz and are currently a half game behind the Jazz. There will be more detail on the Suns later.
The last game of the season will be a rematch with the Trail Blazers. They are 28-35 and fading fast. They are 1- 6 through their last seven games. The team will be a little more healthy than the team the Jazz beat on Wednesday, but they will still be without their best player in LaMarcus Aldridge.
Other contenders for the final playoff spots
The Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Suns and the Houston Rockets round out the playoff picture from six to ten, respectively.
The Suns have the hardest remaining schedule with opposing teams posting a 61 percent winning record. The Mavs come next with 58 percent, followed by the Nuggets with 55 percent and the Rockets with 42 percent.
The Mavs remaining schedule is home for Golden State, then at Chicago and Atlanta. As most Jazz fans know the Warriors are tanking lately, going 2-8 for their last 10. The Bulls have the best record in the league, but they might have nothing to play for with home court locked up by then. The Hawks are fighting for home court advantage and will be playing hard in the last game.
The Nuggets will play at Phoenix, host the Magic, then travel to Oklahoma City and Minnesota. The Suns game is this Saturday, so one team will get a loss here. Oklahoma City is second in the West and will be playing for the number one seed in the playoffs. The next night they will face the slumping Timberwolves, who have lost their last 11 games.
The Suns play host to the Clippers and the Nuggets, travel to Salt Lake City then play the Spurs at home. The Clippers are in 39-23 and are fighting for the division title with the Lakers. The Spurs have the best record in the West, but by the time the Suns play against them they might have everything locked up and the Spurs have a tendency to rest players, so that might become a free win.
The Rockets will play the New Orleans Hornets twice in their last four games, the first in New Orleans, the last at home. They will also host the Warriors and play the Heat in Miami. The Hornets are last in the West, but are 4-1 in the past week, and have become dangerous with Eric Gordon's return - just ask the Jazz. They will play the Heat in Miami on Sunday, who could still be in the hunt for the top-spot in the East.
So, what are the scenarios for the Jazz?
Here is the simple scenario to make the playoffs: Win out, finish ahead of the Suns another way, have the same record as the Rockets and finish above the Suns or enter a three- way tie with those teams.
Any team could be in the six spot or out of the playoffs. Without going into the numerous win-loss scenarios for those spots here are the tiebreaker scenarios the Jazz will come across.
The Mavs hold every tiebreaker scenario, whether it is head-to-head with the Jazz or every team ending up with the same record. So to get the sixth spot the Jazz will have win out and the Mavs can't win another game.
The Jazz would win the head-to-head with the Nuggets. They would also hold any multiple tiebreakers with Denver.
The Suns have the head-to-head advantage with the Jazz, but the Jazz would hold multiple team tiebreakers, which means the game against the Suns could prove to be the game of the year.
The Jazz hold all the tiebreakers with the Rockets.
Possible opponents for the Jazz in the first round
Assuming the Jazz make the playoffs the most likely scenario is the Jazz finishing either in seventh or eighth place. This would have them playing either the Spurs or the Thunder.
Neither team would be a favorable match for the Jazz as the Jazz only won one game against both teams this season.
The Spurs would probably be a tougher test for Utah. San Antonio is an imposing figure for the Jazz and the lone win came with the Spurs' big three resting. They are also 8-2 recently and after losing to an eight-seed last year they won't overlook a weaker opponent. Plus winning in Texas has been rough lately.
The Jazz have a victory over the Thunder in March. It was in Utah, but at least there is something to build on. The Thunder have been slipping lately going 6-5 in April. With improved play from Gordon Hayward and Devin Harris to combat Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook the Jazz might even be able to steal a game and if the Jazz get hot maybe even the series.
The other option will be one of the L.A. teams. This would only happen if the Jazz finish sixth. Either the Clippers or the Lakers would be favorable opponents to the Spurs or Thunder.
