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Why the Utah Jazz have already won the NBA Playoffs

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 18: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz battles his way around Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of Game 2 of the Western Conference playoffs at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on April 18, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 18: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz battles his way around Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of Game 2 of the Western Conference playoffs at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on April 18, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)

The Utah Jazz have their young star, have a future to look forward to, and have just defeated Russell Westbrook, Paul George and the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Jazz are officially playing with house money

The Utah Jazz, the cradle of professional basketball, has had quite a season.

After losing All-Star Gordon Hayward to free agency in the off-season, the Jazz seemed destined for the NBA purgatory of mediocrity. But then, like a knight riding in on a white horse to save the day, Donovan Mitchell arrived.

After trading up with the Denver Nuggets lucky pick number 13 in last year’s draft landed the Utah Jazz Louisville’s sophomore guard and changed their franchise direction. Suddenly a team projected to win 38.5 games by VegasInsider, was rattling off 11 straight wins headed into the All-Star break. An All-Star break where Mitchell proved he belonged with the rest of his superb rookie peers.

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Then coming out of the break the Jazz proceeded to have a nine and six game winning streak on the back of their budding star.

The Utah Jazz were officially headed back to the playoffs. Not with Hayward, but with a relatively unknown rookie who was taking the league by storm.

Their opponent? The antithesis of Utah, Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder. A team of household names versus a team of unknowns. A high flying offensive powered team against a defensive minded opponent. The series was competitive from the start and Mitchell didn’t disappoint.

Under the bright playoff lights Donovan shined. He went toe to toe with last year’s MVP while showing he could score from anywhere. Averaging 28 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists per game, Mitchell and the Jazz knocked off the Thunder. In doing so the Jazz secured their well deserved moment in the national spotlight.

The Future

Utah now faces the Houston Rockets in the Conference Semifinals. After losing game one 110-96 and playing without starting point guard Ricky Rubio it’s clear the Jazz potentially have run out of rope. But that’s okay. By all objective measures the Jazz overachieved this season. First, they have a solid young core that will be back again next year. Second, they have a perennial superstar in the making in Mitchell. And lastly they proved this year was no fluke with their first round playoff victory.

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Getting swept by the Rockets would be an unfortunate way to end the season but it wouldn’t take away a season’s worth of successes.

The Utah Jazz will be back again next year. You can bet on that.

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