San Antonio Spurs vs. Utah Jazz

For the first time in 20 years, Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs will finish the regular season with a losing record on the road. San Antonio’s unparalleled run of 50-win seasons and consecutive playoff appearances is also in jeopardy, as Western Conference rivals continue to clash in the NBA’s version of March Madness. The Spurs close out a pivotal six-game home stand on Friday night against the Jazz, a team that humbled them at the AT&T Center in February with a career shooting night from Ricky Rubio. For better or worse, San Antonio’s post-season fortunes likely rest on the shoulders of six-time All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge. The former Longhorn has admirably carried the load for the Spurs in Kawhi Leonard’s prolonged absence, and will be forced to overcome nagging injuries of his own to keep San Antonio in the playoff hunt.