Key #1 – Control the Tempo
The Jazz have long been known as a slow, methodical team and for the most part, that style has largely fit their personnel. However, with a new group of guys, several of which excel at making plays in transition and pushing the pace, the Jazz have aimed to play somewhat faster so far this year.
However, even with that adjustment, they don’t have the run and gun mentality that Phoenix has been known to exhibit. As I mentioned in my “Keys to the Game” piece last time the Jazz and Suns faced off, Phoenix thrives off of points in transition and looks to get as many easy baskets as possible.
Utah Jazz at Phoenix Suns preseason game primer and info https://t.co/YYMq1z1wna pic.twitter.com/7rcw7qv1Cv
— The J-Notes (@TheJNotes) October 8, 2017
Therefore, it will be important that the Jazz look to take control early and make sure the game is played at their pace. As long as they are focused on defense, they can very well play fast when they have the ball, while still disrupting the Suns’ offense and limiting their scoring in transition.
Given how inexperienced and at times undisciplined the Suns are, as long as the Jazz can remain in the driver’s seat in terms of tempo, this should be their victory for the taking.