12. Utah Jazz (44-30)
With the way that the Utah Jazz have played over the last couple of months, you’d have to think how high they would be ranked had it not been for their horrible start to the season. Nevertheless, it will be an uphill battle for Utah to make a deep run in the playoffs this year.
However, if Donovan Mitchell gets hot during the playoffs, he’s the type of player that can carry this team for a round or two. And if they could avoid the Warriors in the second-round, I wouldn’t put it past this team to make a run to the Conference Finals.
Aside from the Warriors, is there really another team in the West that you feel confident about? That’s where a team like the Jazz, who have experience, can step in.