With a record of 12-7, the Utah Jazz is in first place in the W.C. standings and is no longer considered an outlier. No, Will Hardy’s team be the genuine deal, and they can compete with any team in the NBA on any given night.

 

Utah had a strong start; 10 of their first 13 games were successes, but they lost their next three. After two days of recovery, the Jazz came out strong to defeat two consecutive Western Conference contenders, dispelling any remaining worries.

 

Even though the Kawhi Leonard-led Los Angeles Clippers defeated them on Monday night, the Jazz has climbed back up the NBA power rankings. Where does Jazz stand now, a few weeks after all water has flowed under the bridge since our last check-in on Utah’s power ranking?

 

The response is No. 2 as we head into Week 6 of the regular season.

 

During the last 20 82-game seasons, 192 (91%) of 211 teams won at least 12 of their first 20. The Jazz currently has 12 victories and have two games left before reaching the 20-game mark, one of which is against Detroit. The percentages increase for teams who win 13 (147/154, 95%) or 14 (63/65, 97%) of their first 20 games, albeit the Wizards, who finished 13-7 last year, is an example of a club that did not make the playoffs. (The 2010–11 Jazz, who started 15–5, had the most outstanding record in NBA history for 20 matches for a team that didn’t make the playoffs.

 

Mike Conley’s Saturday knee injury may force the Jazz to deal with the first prolonged absence for one of their top eight players. However, despite having played a reasonably strict schedule, they are 12-6. After weekend victories over the Suns and Blazers, they are 8-3 (best record within the group) in 11 of the 18 games they have played versus the other 15 teams who are now above.500. 

 

The Jazz will play their first ten games against the Pistons on Wednesday, who was in Denver the previous night. They are one of four teams that have yet to play a game with a rest advantage.

 

The Boston Celtics, who are 13-3, are currently ranked first in NBA.

 

It will be entertaining to watch how this season develops. A playoff spot should be a given for a team that continues to defy every preseason projection made for the Jazz, even though expecting Utah to contend for the NBA championship may be going too far.