10/10 Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers: Keys to the Game

Key #3 – Keep Up the Outrageous Offense

Utah’s biggest question mark coming into this season was without a doubt regarding their offense and how they were going to put up enough points to stay afloat. Surprisingly though, the Jazz have been absolutely phenomenal on that side of the court. So much so that, while you may find this hard to believe (seriously, though, brace yourself), the Jazz are actually putting up the second highest number of points per game in the entire league heading into tonight’s contests.

I know, I know, it’s preseason and the Jazz have played two non-NBA teams and the dismal Phoenix Suns twice. But still, the fact that they’re putting up 114.3 points per game which is second only to the Houston Rockets and is above the likes of the Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets who are known as offensive juggernauts is pretty telling.

While I in no way expect Utah to maintain that high level of scoring throughout the regular season, it’s a nice sign that perhaps this team won’t be as offensively challenged as many thought. And with their incredible defense, that better-than-expected offense should help the Jazz be much more competitive than they were projected.

And especially in games such as the one tonight against a lackluster defensive Lakers squad, the Jazz ought to have a hay-day. Not only will their superb defense be able to keep Los Angeles in check, but if they’re able to also include their apparently prolific offense into the mix, the Jazz should very well run away with the victory.

Utah has posted over 100 points in each of their preseason contests, which included a 120-point outpouring last night in Phoenix. The Lakers, meanwhile, have averaged just 96.3 points per game thus far, although Sunday’s 75-point output surely hurt their overall average as they had been averaging just over 103 points per game before that.

Nevertheless, even a 103-point average wouldn’t be enough to outgun what the Jazz have been doing of late. Utah’s offense has been undeniably impressive and if that trend continues tonight, there will be little the Lakers can do to slow them down.