The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz vs. Sydney Kings: Keys to the Game

By Jared Woodcox

TRARALGON, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 09: Brad Newley of the Kings competes for the ball during the 2017 NBL Blitz pre-season match between Melbourne United and the Sydney Kings at Traralgon Basketball Centre on September 9, 2017 in Traralgon, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
TRARALGON, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 09: Brad Newley of the Kings competes for the ball during the 2017 NBL Blitz pre-season match between Melbourne United and the Sydney Kings at Traralgon Basketball Centre on September 9, 2017 in Traralgon, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) /
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 01: Joe Ingles of the Utah Jazz (L) and Kevin Lisch of the Sydney Kings (R) pose during an NBL Media Opportunity at Cruise Bar on August 1, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 01: Joe Ingles of the Utah Jazz (L) and Kevin Lisch of the Sydney Kings (R) pose during an NBL Media Opportunity at Cruise Bar on August 1, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images) /

Key #2 – Contain Brad Newley and Kevin Lisch

As I alluded to in the first key, despite not boasting any elite talents on their team, the Kings still have plenty of guys who are capable of filling it up on the basketball court. This is particularly the case for forward Brad Newley and point guard Kevin Lisch who are the team’s two lead guys.

Last season, Newley averaged a hefty 17.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists while Lisch put up a solid 16.5 points, 3.6 assists and 1.8 steals. Joe Ingles and Thabo Sefolosha, who figure to be one and two on the depth chart at the small forward position, are excellent perimeter defenders and should have little trouble with Newley.

However, guards such as Donovan Mitchell, Dante Exum and even Ricky Rubio who’s reputed as a solid defender but will need to reestablish that identity with the Jazz, will have plenty to prove as they look to contain Lisch. The six-foot-two guard who played his college ball at Saint Louis University will be a nice early test for Utah’s guard corp.

There are other guys on the squad that are more than capable of breaking out, but if the Jazz can contain this potent duo, they should put themselves in a great spot to win the game.

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