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How the Golden State Warriors fare against each NBA Playoff contender

By Tony Pesta

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 25: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors on December 25, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 25: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors on December 25, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

7. Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz have been knocking at the door for a few seasons now. An elite defense, but never a top offense, has held them back from truly being contenders.

2018-19 Utah Jazz offensive and defensive stats:

  • Defensive Rating: 105.3 (7th best)
  • Offensive Rating: 110.3 (14th best)
  • Points Per Game: 111.7 (17th best)
  • Opponents Points Per Game: 106.5 (4th best)

It’s fairly obvious that if the Jazz could just produce on the offensive end, they would be one of the best teams in the league. This season, they may have solved this issue, by adding not only Mike Conley but Bojan Bogdanovich as well.

Conley has been a borderline All-Star for most of his career and put up 21.1 points per game last season. As for Bogdanovich, he is one of the most versatile offensive forwards in the league, scoring 18.0 points on 42.5 percent deep shooting and 49.6 percent shooting overall last season.

Heading into the season, the Jazz will be able to go toe-to-toe offensively with the Warriors, as well as sporting a better defensive lineup. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert, will be locking down the paint. Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell is ready to step up and rise to the challenge of taking on Stephen Curry.

A potential playoff series between these two teams would be fun. We need to see how the Jazz gel together, but, on paper, the Warriors would be in trouble.

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