5 most important games for the Thunder down the stretch

The Oklahoma City Thunder can start worrying about playoff seeding. Here are the most important games for them down the stretch.

(Photo: Russ Isabella/USA TODAY Sports)

March 11: Home against the Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz have lost four of their last five games entering Monday. They have looked dysfunctional on the court and off as starting lineup changes were leaked to the media – and then later the Jazz changed their mind about the lineup switch and decided to pull Joe Ingles from the lineup instead of Mike Conley.

If they can’t figure it out over the next week and a half, March 11 would be the perfect time for the Thunder to strike.

Utah’s usual top-10 defense has been among the worst in the league over the last five games. Through Feb. 12, the team allowed the sixth-fewest points per game, 107.2, and its offensive rating of 107.6 was eighth-best.

Since, the Jazz have allowed an average of nine more points per game and its offensive rating of 117.3 is No. 28 in the league.

The two teams will play again on April 13, the second-to-last game of the season. But now is the time to jump on the Jazz.

The Thunder need some separation; do it in March and don’t just hope Utah won’t correct itself by April. The Jazz are a proven good team and it’s more than likely they will have.