as it relates to playoff basketball. The Blazers are dealing with serious injuries including the loss of their only serviceable post player. At full strength, sure, Portland may be better, but as currently constituted, there is at least an argument the Jazz are better.

As far as Utah vs. Denver goes, the Jazz have a few things going for them. They have more playoff experience, have recent history of winning playoff series, and are playing some of their best ball of the season. I don't think the Jazz are definitively better than Denver, but I don't think it's ridiculous to think they're the 3rd best team in the west heading into the playoffs.