Utah Jazz vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: Keys to the Game
Key Stat – Three-Point Percentage
Although clearly several things went wrong in Utah’s 27-point blowout loss to the Timberwolves last month, one of the key differences was in the two teams’ shooting percentage from deep. Minnesota absolutely lit it up, going 8-of-16 from behind the arc, while Utah finished at just a 4-of-19 (.211) clip.
That discrepancy from deep, as well as the Jazz’s dismal 38.9 percent field goal shooting which saw them miss several important opportunities, was a major contributing factor in the loss.
I haven't seen the Quin stink-eye in awhile. Last night was a good time to bring it back. #Jazz #MINatUTA pic.twitter.com/lEiQKArEIl
— Brad Rock (@therockmonster) March 2, 2017
Especially considering that the Timberwolves rank 20th in the NBA in three-point shooting at 35.1 percent while the Jazz are 10th at 37 percent, that’s simply something that shouldn’t happen. Utah’s a much better three-point shooting team than they displayed against Minnesota in the last outing and if they can make corrections in that area, it’s highly unlikely that the result of tonight’s game will match that of the previous bout.
Not to mention, Utah has been red hot from deep in their previous five contests as they’ve connected on 46.2 percent of their threes during that stretch. Should that hot streak continue into tonight’s game, then the Timberwolves who rank 22nd in the league in opponent three-point shooting, will likely be in deep trouble.