Race For First Place: Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns

Three games remain in the regular season for the Utah Jazz, and with a loss to the Golden State Warriors last night, the race for first place became more interesting.

For most of the year, the Utah Jazz have been a staple at the top of the Western Conference and at the top of the NBA standings. A late surge by the Phoenix Suns put the Jazz' Western Conference foe in contention at the twilight of the regular season, but up to this point, Utah has been able to hold them off. 

As the Jazz head into their final three games of the year, their destiny remains in their hands. 

Here's a comparison between the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns final games, and what needs to happen in order to obtain the first overall seed in the NBA Playoffs.

Utah Jazz: 

Utah Jazz vs Portland Trail Blazers (May 12, 2021 at 7:30 PM)

Utah Jazz at Oklahoma City Thunder (May 14, 2021 at 6 PM)

Utah Jazz at Minnesota Timberwolves (May 16, 2021 at TBA)

In order for the Jazz to secure the number one seed in the NBA Playoffs, they need to win their final three games. The only way that Utah can afford to go 2-1, is if the Suns lose during their final stretch of games. 

If the Jazz can accomplish this feat, they'll not only have the number one seed in the Western Conference, but also in the entire NBA, guaranteeing them home-court advantage throughout the entirety of the Playoffs. Utah doesn't hold the tie breaker against Phoenix, so they need to beat the Suns by at least one-game to obtain the first seed. 

Phoenix Suns: 

Phoenix Suns at Golden State Warriors (May 11, 2021 at 7 PM)

Phoenix Suns vs Portland Trail Blazers (May 13, 2021 at 7 PM)

Phoenix Suns at San Antonio Spurs (May 15, 2021 at TBA)

Phoenix Suns at San Antonio Spurs (May 16, 2021 at TBA)

In order for the Suns to secure the first seed, they need to go undefeated through their final four games, and hope for a Jazz loss.

Because the Suns hold the tie-breaker against the Jazz, they only need to be within a half of a game of Utah to secure the first seed in the Playoffs.