The Utah Jazz has been on national television just four times this season. The Northwest Division champions don’t get nearly as much national media attention as the team that finished directly behind them, the Nuggets.
But Utah coach Jerry Sloan couldn’t care less. All he’s concerned about is getting his team ready for the playoffs and a first-round matchup with Houston.
“If you’re worrying about attention you’re worrying about the wrong thing,” Sloan said in a phone interview Tuesday. “I think you just go out and play and let it all hang out. If you don’t, you’re probably not going to do good.”
Utah (48-29) has dropped four consecutive games to nonplayoff teams and five of six overall since clinching the division title.
Denver (41-36), meanwhile, is one victory from clinching a playoff berth heading into tonight’s game.
“I’m going to give Utah the benefit of the doubt,” Nuggets coach George Karl said of the Jazz’s recent slide coinciding with clinching a playoff berth. “The team has been together for a few years. … This is a team that has probably handled us as much as any team in the Western Conference since I’ve been there.”
Utah is battling Houston for home-court advantage in the first round and trails the Rockets by a half-game. It owns the tiebreaker after winning the regular-season series.
“We have a young team that hasn’t been in this situation before,” Sloan said. “These are important games (right now). It’s not like if you lose it doesn’t make a big difference. It’s critical.”
Whether Utah enters the playoffs healthy is in question.
Starting point guard Deron Williams has battled a groin injury. Starting small forward Andrei Kirilenko is out with a fractured left thumb but is expected back for the playoffs.
Regardless of how Utah finishes, the franchise will be making its first playoff appearance since 2003 and appears to have a bright future with several young players on its roster. All-stars Carlos Boozer (25) and Mehmet Okur (27) as well as 2004 NBA all-star Kirilenko (26) are in their prime, and Williams (22) is among the best young players in the league.
Playoff push
With one more win, the Nuggets will lock up one of eight playoff spots in the Western Conference. A look at the jockeying for the West’s final three seeds. As the No. 6 seed, Denver would likely play San Antonio in the first round.
6. Nuggets 41-36
7. L.A. Lakers 40-38
8. Golden State 38-40
9. L.A. Clippers 37-40
10. New Orleans 37-41
Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-954-1098 or mspears@denverpost.com.
