Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz have a similar build to that of the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, they’re two main offensive threats aren’t quite as dominant and their rim-protecting center is much more impactful.
The Jazz would give the Warriors a different look than they’d see if they faced Oklahoma City.
Against Utah, Golden State would likely shy away from going straight to Boogie in the post as he’d likely be guarded by DPOY candidate Rudy Gobert. Kevin Durant would draw either Joe Ingles or Jae Crowder. He’d likely be the Dubs best go-to option.
For the Jazz, they’ll be forced to continue the majority of their offense through second-year guard Donavon Mitchell, likely trying to find mismatches by switching either Stephen Curry or Cousins onto Mitchell. Ingles would also have to be dominant in order for Utah to have the slightest chance.
The Jazz barely have a top-20 offense. With Gobert anchoring the paint, it’s their defense that’ll win them games in the postseason. Throughout the regular season, they’ve boasted a top-3 defense.
8 of the Jazz’s final 10 games are against non-playoff teams, so don’t expect them to tank into the eight seed.