10/20 Utah Jazz at Minnesota Timberwolves: Keys to the Game

Key #1 – Take Home Court Energy on the Road

As impressive as Utah’s season opening win was on Wednesday, it’s no secret that they didn’t exactly start out on fire. The Nuggets took a nine-point lead into the half and led by double figures for a considerable amount of the game. However, once the Jazz amped up their energy and intensity, which came largely as a result of focused defense and the incredible play of Joe Johnson and Alec Burks, the game shifted entirely.

The way the Jazz played in the final period of play in their home opener was dominant and if they were somehow able to maintain that consistently over four quarters, they’d be nearly impossible to beat. However, if it took them the better part of three quarters to find that energy at home, doing so on the road will likely be an even tougher task.

Nevertheless, hard though it may be, the Jazz have to find a way to bring it even though they’ll be in a hostile building. Part of the reason for their early shakiness on Wednesday very well could have been due to Rodney Hood’s last-second scratch from the starting lineup as he dealt with “gastric distress” and the ensuing insertion of Donovan Mitchell into the starting five as well as the fact that several players were making their Jazz debut.

Whatever the case was, once the Jazz finally got composure and leaned on their defense, they looked like the suffocating force that optimistic fans have hoped the team can become. One additional edge that Utah may have as well is that starting point guard Ricky Rubio will be making a return to his former home on Friday and, especially now that his Jazz debut nerves should be out of the way, could come in ultra-focused, with a chip on his shoulder and absolutely prepared to stabilize his team.

If that all comes together and the Jazz maintain a killer instinct throughout the contest, then they could very well steal their very first road game and improve to 2-0.