Key Stat – Field Goal Percentage
It may sound overly simple, but the reality is that all the Jazz really need to do to defeat the Nets is to make shots. Brooklyn is currently dead last in the league in opponent points per game as they’re allowing their foes to put up an overwhelming 114.2 points per game. That’s nearly two more points per game than the next worst team.
In other words, given Brooklyn’s dismal defense, the Jazz are going to have looks. The question will be whether they’re able to convert on those opportunities or not.
Utah Jazz Week Nineteen Outlook, Predictions https://t.co/M01ZJhPDbu #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/eWuiX0zF82
— The J-Notes (@TheJNotes) February 27, 2017
In the previous contest against the Nets, one of the reasons the game ended up being closer than expected was precisely because such was not the case. Shots largely weren’t falling for Utah until the fourth quarter and they still ended the game with a lower field goal percentage than Brooklyn, finishing at 41.9 percent compared to the Nets’ 42.3.
And in last night’s loss to Minnesota, Utah simply couldn’t buy a bucket as they failed to finish several attempts at the rim and ended the game with a shooting percentage of just 38.9.
On the season, Utah has shot significantly better than Brooklyn as they rank 12th in the league at 46.3 percent while the Nets rank 24th at 44.3 percent. Thus, according to those year-long averages, it would seem quite likely that Utah will win the shooting battle tomorrow night particularly given Brooklyn’s poor defense.
And if they’re able to do so, there’s a very good chance that they’ll come away victorious.