Gobert: 'No doubt' Jazz will make the playoffs
Rudy Gobert is certain the Utah Jazz are playoff bound.
"No doubt, we're definitely making the playoffs," he told ESPN's Tim MacMahon on Tuesday.
Gobert, 25, is excited about his team's chemistry, unselfishness, and confidence amid their 10-game winning streak. The Jazz have gotten quality wins against teams such as the Golden State Warriors, Toronto Raptors, and San Antonio Spurs over that stretch, thanks in large part to their Gobert-anchored fifth-ranked defense, better health, and the emergence of rookie Donovan Mitchell.
Related: Can Donovan Mitchell become a superstar?
Utah's playoff hopes were in doubt as recently as just prior to this hot streak. On Jan. 22, Gobert and Co. lost to the lowly Atlanta Hawks and fell to five games back of the final postseason spot. They've been closing the gap since and enter Wednesday's matchup with the Phoenix Suns just one-and-a-half games back while having one of the easiest remaining schedules in the league.
Gobert is averaging 12.4 points, 9.9 boards, and 2.4 blocks over 31 games. The fifth-year center had his first playoff experience last year and expects to build on that. Utah was swept by the eventual champion Warriors in the semis.