Jazz and Suns Battle for Final Playoff Spot

Photo Credit: Chris Detrick/The Salt Lake Tribune

There is just one spot remaining in the 2012 NBA Playoffs. That is the eighth seed in the Western Conference. The two teams contending for the spot are the Utah Jazz and the Phoenix Suns. It just so happens that those two teams square off Tuesday night in Salt Lake City. The task appears to be simple on paper for the Jazz. If they win the game, they are in the playoffs. What makes it more difficult is their drought against the Suns, against whom they have lost seven consecutive times.

The Utah Jazz are in the position they want to be in. They hold the one game edge over the Suns in the standings. That is why a win Tuesday night will lock up their playoff spot. The Jazz are being led by their stud post man Al Jefferson right now. Jefferson was named Western Conference Player of the Week for this past week. In three games, he had three double-doubles and averaged 20.0 points per game, 15.3 rebounds per game, 2.3 assists per game, & 2.0 blocks per game. Big Al helped lead the Jazz to victory in all three of those games last week. He will need to play extremely well again Tuesday night to help his teammates. The Jazz could still make it into the playoffs with a loss, but life is much easier if you don't go through the back door.

The Phoenix Suns continue to be led by wily veteran point guard Steve Nash. The supporting cast has changed, and gotten worse frankly, but Nash's consistency has been the glue holding this team together. Nash is a creative genius. His ability to create a shot for himself and craftily find teammates for easy baskets is what makes him so good. Nash is averaging 12.5 points per game and 12.5 assists per game against the Jazz this season. The Suns certainly won't back down against the Jazz Tuesday night.

There  is clearly a lot riding on Monday's game for both teams. Both teams desperately want that last playoff spot. Who will get it? That remains to be seen.