Are we destined for a Battle of Los Angeles this summer? The proposition is increasingly less of a guarantee by the week, though that’s not necessarily a credit to the depth of the Western Conference. Barring any blockbuster trade, one team is the clear impediment to the Staples Center battle: Utah
This isn’t the paper-tiger version of the Jazz we’ve seen in recent seasons. Quin Snyder’s squad has matched the franchise record through 25 games, sitting at 20–5 following a 122-108 win over the Celtics on Tuesday. The Jazz are the only team in the league in the top five of both offensive and defensive rating.