NBA Power Rankings: Miami Heat is fading; Boston Celtics rising

8. Utah Jazz

Perhaps embracing a bit of an underdog role will be better for the Utah Jazz heading into the postseason. Entering as the fourth or fifth seed, there won’t be huge expectations for the team in the postseason.

However, at least on the surface, this feels like an important postseason run for the Jazz. An early playoff exit won’t be great for a team that needs to prove that there is still a part of a ceiling that they haven’t touched.

I’m not sure that’s the case. There could be some interesting changes for the Jazz if they don’t make a deep playoff run these playoffs. And with the whispers that continue to surround this team, that can’t be great.