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NBA Power Rankings: Spurs on top? Kawhi not

By Brandon Jefferson

Mar 4, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio (9) defends during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio (9) defends during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jazz
Feb 8, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) is defended by New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Jazz defeated the Pelicans 127-94. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Utah Jazz 43-25

Last week: 6-3
Last rank: 7th

It looks like the Jazz have secured a first-round matchup against the Clippers in the playoffs. That got more interesting after the physicality was ramped up between the two in their latest meeting. A lot of the friction was sparked by Rudy Gobert (he elbowed JJ Redick in the mouth and got into a shoving and talking match with Chris Paul). When the league is getting criticized for being soft and superstars teaming up rather than play against each other a good hardnosed postseason series is just what the NBA needs.

The Jazz are not only deep, but they play hard and smart on both ends of the floor. Gordon Hayward has quietly become one of the better wings in all of basketball. With the rise of Gobert and Hayward, the Jazz are a team that will put up a fight against anyone. The Spurs and Warriors are definitely hoping that this team will stumble in some way before they would face in the playoffs. Utah’s core players might not have many championships or even playoff experience yet with the additions of players like Boris Diaw, George Hill and Joe Johnson they now have some reliable veterans to help coach the younger guys through playing on the bigger stage.

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