This is an updated look at the NBA playoff picture and how it relates to the Utah Jazz.
What happened Friday
Two Friday night games impacted the Western Conference playoff race.
New Orleans built an 18-point lead after one quarter and cruised to a 122-103 victory over Phoenix. It was the Pelicans' second straight win over a team eliminated from the postseason after New Orleans lost four straight games to playoff bound teams.
In the other game of importance to the West race, Minnesota trailed the Los Angeles Lakers 58-51 at halftime. The Timberwolves, however, scored 22 of the first 30 points in the third quarter, took a seven-point lead into the final period and cruised to a 113-96 victory.