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NBA: Northwest Division Power Rankings: New Face On Top?

By Blake Holmes

Nov 13, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) shoots over Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) and forward Danilo Gallinari (8) during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) shoots over Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) and forward Danilo Gallinari (8) during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 11, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) controls the basket against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Utah Jazz defeated the Orlando Magic 87-74. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) controls the basket against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Utah Jazz defeated the Orlando Magic 87-74. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Utah Jazz.

Once again this week, I had a dilemma to face. I had to choose between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Jazz for the number one and two spots. The Jazz have been playing some good basketball as of late, although it hasn’t been perfect. It has been good enough to lead the division, tied with the Blazers.

One word explains why the Jazz aren’t the best team in the division right now, and it is injuries. George Hill began this season showing what he is truly capable of, averaging around 20 points per game in Gordon Hayward’s absence. Now Hayward is back and is playing pretty well, but Hill has been out with a sprained right thumb. The injury bug will not give them much of a break, but the Jazz have done pretty well to overcome it so far.

This is a defensive first team, as they are second in the league in average points allowed per game, while in the bottom half of the league in points scored per game. This is a playoff team if they keep it up, especially when they get all of their players back and healthy. Like I stated before, they are now tied for the lead of the Northwest Division with the Portland Trail Blazers at 7-4. One of the main reasons behind this play is that they have been shooting the ball pretty well, as they are just out of the top ten in field goal percentage.

Nov 11, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood (5) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic guard C.J. Watson (32) defends during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood (5) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic guard C.J. Watson (32) defends during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

The Jazz will look to possibly take sole possession of first place in the division this week. They take on the Memphis Grizzlies, Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, and Denver Nuggets.

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