To a team that has now qualified for the postseason for two solid decades, clinching a playoff spot is understandably no longer a big deal. Still, this year's playoff invitation arrived with all the pomp and circumstance as junk mail.
   
The Jazz were en route to the airport after Sunday's 82-80 loss in Seattle when the Lakers pulled out an overtime victory over Phoenix, officially cementing the Jazz's 20th playoff berth. Only, nobody even realized what had happened until the NBA notified the Jazz on Tuesday.
   
So much for champagne celebrations.
   
"I've always had the impression that you clinch your own spot. That old, 'Let this team beat this team, and let this team lose, and you slide in the back door' -- I don't like that scenario," said Karl Malone. "Just win it yourself. [I'm] disappointed because we've had opportunities and we haven't made the most of them."