Utah Jazz Tanking Guide: 2023
Apr 8, 2023 - 4:24 AMThe Utah Jazz should be tanking to get a better spot in the lottery and to hopefully win when the ping pong balls drop. Each night there are teams to root for and against and I’ll attempt to update this guide every day so you know what to root for on League Pass.
4/8/23
Who/What to root for?
Denver Nuggets at Utah Jazz
I had given up hope, I had figured none of these teams competing with the Jazz would be stupid enough to slip. Well, the Wizards proved me wrong, and the Jazz once again have a chance to move to 8 in the lottery. That said, all of this is predicated on the Jazz losing this game. Lose, Jazz! Lose in spectacular fashion. Find exotic and exciting ways to miss baskets.
Minnesota Timberwolves at San Antonio Spurs
The Wolves have the Jazz pick, and that means you want the Wolves to lose. That’s really all that has to be said. This issue is that the Spurs have a real reason to lose, so they can try to get in front of the Rockets. Although there’s an interesting twist here. If the Wolves do win, it puts pressure on the Rockets to lose to keep ahead of the Spurs. Who do the Rockets play next? The Wizards who will be just 1 game ahead of the Jazz in the standings. It’s a perfect storm of suckery that helps the Jazz.
4/6/23
Who/What to root for?
Cleveland Cavaliers at Orlando Magic
THIS IS MASSIVE. The Magic are still trying to win games and there’s a possibility the Jazz jump them if they win out. What’s also helping the Jazz is that the Cavs have locked up their seeding and don’t look interested in winning this game.
#Cavs injury report for tomorrow's game against Orlando:
— Kelsey Russo (@kelseyyrusso) April 5, 2023
Jarrett Allen (groin), Darius Garland (lower leg contusion), Caris LeVert (knee soreness), Donovan Mitchell (finger sprain), Evan Mobley (rest), Isaac Okoro (knee soreness) and Dylan Windler (foot sprain) are all OUT.
This all depends on the Jazz losing out which is vitally important that they do.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Utah Jazz
The Jazz need to lose this game like they’ve never lost before.
4/5/23
Who/What to root for?
New York Knicks at Indiana Pacers
It’s do or die tie at this point for the Jazz to jump in the lottery. With a few games left the Jazz need the Pacers to go on a winning streak starting with this game.
Washington Wizards at Atlanta Hawks
The Wizards are now out of playoff contention but that doesn’t mean they can’t still win some games. Can they get a late winning streak going? Unlikely but as Keving Garnett once said, “Anything is possible!”
Sacramento Kings at Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks have been terrible lately but they still have Luka Doncic. There isn’t a team out there that isn’t scoring on Dallas, this is basically a test to see who has the hottest shooting night. Can the Mavericks get at least one more win to solidify the 9-seed for the Jazz?
4/4/23
Who/What to root for?
Toronto Raptors at Charlotte Hornets
A Toronto win puts them another game ahead of the Wolves, keeping the Wolves pick a spot below them. Go Raptors!
Cleveland Cavaliers at Orlando Magic
Orlando is now just 2 games up on the Jazz. If they win and the Jazz lose, the Jazz would be just 1 game out of the 8-spot. This is a big-time game for the Jazz lottery odds if the Magic can pull this out.
Milwaukee Bucks at Washington Wizards
The Wizards are also just 2 games up on the Jazz. A win here puts the Jazz closer to the 8-spot or even the 7 if both Washington and Orlando get leapfrogged by Utah. Can the Wizards get another upset win?
Minnesota Timberwolves at Brooklyn Nets
All of a sudden, the Timberwolves have lost 3-in-a-row, and if they lose again, they could possibly fall past Chicago to the 12-spot. It’s a big-time win for the Jazz if the Nets can pull off the victory.
Atlanta Hawks at Chicago Bulls
Chicago has been so good for the Jazz lately, and another win for Chicago could have them leapfrog the Wolves and improve that pick for the Jazz. Can Chicago keep their winning ways going?
Los Angeles Lakers at Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz need to lose this game against the Lakers if they want to improve their odds. Luckily, the Lakers are playing at a very high level right now and should take care of the Jazz.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden State Warriors
Oklahoma City needs to keep winning to help keep the cushion for the Jazz at the 9-spot. The Jazz control their destiny with the 9-spot, but a little breathing room never hurts.
4/2/23
Who/What to root for?
Utah Jazz at Brooklyn Nets
For the Jazz to tank, they need to lose games. Thus, they must lose this game.
Memphis Grizzlies at Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are just one game behind the Jazz in the lottery standings. A loss for the Jazz and a win for the Bulls would be great for the Jazz solidifying that 9-spot.
Portland Trail Blazers at Minnesota Timberwolves
The Wolves losing is always good for the Jazz, who own the Wolves' 2023 first-round pick. As pathetic as the Blazers have been these last few seasons, it’s not likely they get a win. But you never know when even the most obscure players can get a nice win.
Dallas Mavericks at Atlanta Hawks
Train wreck? Dumpster fire? However you want to describe the Dallas Mavericks it likely works. Dallas is just a half-game behind the Jazz in the lottery and keep their pick this draft if it’s in the top ten. All of a sudden the Mavericks might be interested in just retaining their pick, licking their wounds, and trying again next season. The Jazz need the Mavericks to get this win. Luka Doncic seems allergic to keeping in shape and playing defense (likely related) so it’s not clear if the Mavericks can get this win, but anything is possible.
Washington Wizards at New York Knicks
Jazz fans need to hope for the Knicks to have a terrible game. With Randle out, it could be the thing that helps the Wizards get a win and help the Jazz overtake them in the 8-spot in the lottery. After the Jazz’s own game, this is the most important tank-watch game of the day. GO WIZARDS!!!
Detroit Pistons at Orlando Magic
With their win two days ago the Magic kept hope alive that the Jazz might overtake them. Can the Magic continue their winning ways? It seems likely that this Magic team could be overtaken because they seem more interested in winning games than jumping in the lottery. There’s a real chance here for the Jazz to overtake them if the Magic keep winning, the Jazz just have to continue the losing streak they’re on.
Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers
The Pacers are just 2.5 games ahead of the Jazz. With just a handful of games left this season, the Jazz need the Pacers to win some games if they want to overtake them. Can the Pacers get hot to end the season?
3/31/23
Who/What to root for?
Utah Jazz at Boston Celtics
Duh. It is in the best interest of the Jazz to lose this game so they don’t waste any more chances at a better pick in the draft.
Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Hornets
This is nearly as important for the Jazz as losing their own game. If the Bulls win, it puts the Jazz back in sole possession of the 9th spot in the lottery.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers
This one is interesting because if the Thunder win it locks in the 9th seed for the Jazz. If Indiana wins, there’s a slim chance for Utah to possibly pass them. Because it’s very unlikely with just 6 games left for the Jazz to pass the Pacers, it’s best for the Thunder to win before they get any ideas of trying to pass the Jazz.
Orlando Magic at Washington Wizards
The Wizards are the team in front of the Jazz and that makes this a huge opportunity for the Jazz to make up ground on the Wizards, who are trying to take that last spot in the play-in. It’s very important the Wizards don’t screw this up and win this game.
Los Angeles Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves
The Lakers winning this is a double win for the Jazz because it helps the Jazz’s pick while also putting space between them and the Lakers.
3/29/23
Who/What to root for?
Utah Jazz at San Antonio Spurs
It would be advantageous for the Jazz to lose every game for the rest of the season. They especially need to lose the games they’re favored in like this one.
Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers
Slim chance, but the Jazz need the Pacers to win in a big way if they want a chance to pass them up.
Dallas Mavericks at Philadelphia 76ers
The Mavericks are a dumpster fire but the Jazz need this dumpster fire to get a few more wins to create more cushion in the standings.
Chicago Bulls vs Los Angeles Lakers
The Jazz are 1 game up on the Bulls and 2 games up on the Lakers in the lottery. A win by the Bulls would secure that 9th spot as the Jazz’s ceiling.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Detroit Pistons
The Jazz are just 1.5 games up on the Thunder and so a win by the Thunder solidifies Utah’s positioning.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Phoenix Suns
Jazz fans should always hope for the Wolves to lose if they want the pick to possibly improve.
3/20/23
Who/What to root for?
Utah Jazz vs Sacramento Kings
Duh.
Indiana Pacers vs Charlotte Hornets
A Pacers win helps the Jazz in a big way, this should be a huge step up for the Jazz.
Chicago Bulls at Philadelphia 76ers
It’s a tough one for the Bulls who are playing for a spot in the playoffs. A win for the Bulls would be big for the Jazz.
Minnesota Timberwolves at New York Knicks
A loss for the Wolves is always good for the Jazz
3/19/23
Who/What to root for?
Phoenix Suns at Oklahoma City Thunder
Even though the Jazz continue to win, they can still be helped by other teams around them getting wins. A win by the Thunder will help solidify the Jazz’s position in the lottery, and get a better pick.
Atlanta Hawks at San Antonio Spurs
It’s now time to root for the Hawks and Quin Snyder. The more the Hawks win the more it moves the Wolves down in the draft standings.
New Orleans Pelicans at Houston Rockets
New Orleans is a dreadful franchise but they have to find a way to overcome their own incompetent awfulness to win this game and help the Jazz in the standings.
Toronto Raptors at Milwaukee Bucks
The Jazz need the Raptors to keep winning to solidify a better spot in the draft.
Portland Trail Blazers vs LA Clippers
Much like the Pelicans, the Portland Trail Blazers have to overcome their incompetance and find a way to win, but they may have stopped trying a while ago. Although, even when the Blazers try they’re bad so can anyone really tell the difference?
Orlando Magic at LA Lakers
At this point the Magic are probably too far away for the Jazz to catch so the Jazz need the Lakers to win to help the Jazz solidify the best pick possible.
3/17/23
Who/What to root for?
Washington Wizards at Cleveland Cavaliers
It’s a tough matchup for the Wizards but a win for them would tie them up with the Jazz and get the Jazz a one step higher in the lottery.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Chicago Bulls
As always, Jazz fans should root for the Wolves to lose to improve that pick.
New Orleans Pelicans at Houston Rockets
The Pelicans might quietly be tanking and a win for them would be great for the Jazz in the standings, it would put them into the top ten in picks.
Boston Celtics at Portland Trail Blazers
The Jazz need Portland to start winning games, things are tight right now in the lottery and a win for the Blazers would put the Jazz higher in the lottery.
3/16/23
Who/What to root for?
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Toronto Raptors
In reality, this is a win-win for the Jazz but since just one game separates the Jazz from the Raptors, it would be good if the Raptors win to provide more cushion for the Jazz in the lottery.
Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks
If the Jazz want any chance to possibly be in the 5-7 range of the lottery, the teams ahead of them need to win some games. Can the Pacers pull this one out and help the Jazz jump higher in the lottery?
Can the Magic find a way to pull one out against the Suns? Orlando has been feisty lately and look like they’re interested in winning games. With the Jazz 5 games back, there still might be time to catch them.
3/15/23
Who/What to root for?
Sacramento Kings vs Chicago Bulls
With the Bulls being just one game ahead of the Jazz, this would be huge to see the Bulls get the win here.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets
The Lakers have been winning a lot more lately and the more they win the more cushion it puts between the Jazz and the play-in.
Boston Celtics vs Minnesota Timberwolves
As always, a Wolves loss is always what you want since the Jazz own their pick.
Dallas Mavericks vs San Antonio Spurs
The Dallas Mavericks are losing a lot lately and missing the playoffs might be out of the picture. The worst thing would be for the Mavericks to catch the Jazz. A Mavericks win is good for the Jazz.
3/14/23
Who/What to root for?
Detroit Pistons vs Washington Wizards
This is an important one. If the Wizards win this it will immediately improve the Jazz’s odds in the lottery.
Denver Nuggets vs Toronto Raptors
Same as the situation with the Wizards, the Raptors winning this immediately helps the Jazz in the lottery. Scott Foster gifted a game to the Nuggets last time, will the Nuggets be able to overcome bad officiating this time?
Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans
The Lakers and Pelicans have identical records so this is a win-win for the Jazz whatever happens here.
Brooklyn Nets vs Oklahoma City Thunder
With the Jazz ahead of the Thunder in the lottery by one game, a win for the Thunder would provide some nice cushion for the Jazz in case they do something silly like win a game.
Orlando Magic vs San Antonio Spurs
With 13 games left for the Jazz they’re 4.5 games back of the Magic in the lottery but Orlando is playing hard and it’s not impossible for the Jazz to overtake them. It will take the Magic winning games like this one to make that happen.
New York Knicks vs Portland Trail Blazers
The Jazz need the Blazers to win games. Utah doesn’t play for 5 days and there positioning in the lottery could improve a lot if the Blazers win this one. If the Blazers win this, it might influence the Jazz to make the right decision to rest their stars more and more to end the season.
3/13/23
Who/What to root for?
Indiana Pacers to beat the Detroit Pistons
The Pistons are too far ahead of the Jazz to overcome, but getting a better spot than Indiana is well within reach.
Atlanta Hawks to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves
Owning the Wolves pick means wanting them to lose every night.
Miami Heat to beat the Utah Jazz
Because obviously!
Dallas Mavericks to beat the Memphis Grizzlies.
Not much skin in the game with this but more distance from Dallas would be good.
Golden State Warriors to beat the Phoenix Suns
Just like with the Mavericks, you want more distance between the Jazz and the Warriors.
Be the first!
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