10/30 Utah Jazz vs. Dallas Mavericks: Keys to the Game

Key #1 – Protect the Perimeter

Despite Dallas’ struggles up to this point in the season that have earned them just a 1-6 record, one of their strengths thus far has been their ability to convert from deep. The Mavericks are currently fifth in the league in three-point percentage at a solid 37.8 percent while taking the fourth most attempts per game (34).

This has been thanks largely to the hot shooting of Yogi Ferrell (46.4 percent), J.J. Barea (44.4 percent), Wesley Matthews (43.5 percent) and of course the ageless wonder Dirk Nowitzki (37.5 percent). Not only are these sharpshooters converting at an efficient percentage, but they’re also putting them up at a high volume as each is logging between 3.4 (Dirk) and 6.6 (Matthews) attempts from deep per game.

In Dallas’ lone win of the season over the Memphis Grizzlies, the three-ball was a big factor as they shot a solid 42.3 percent in the contest. Therefore, if the Jazz hope to shut them down, they’ll have to be solid on the perimeter and prevent the Mavs from getting any easy looks.

So far on the season, the Jazz are 11th in the league in opponent three-point percentage at 34.2 percent and if they can hold Dallas to about that mark or lower, the Mavs may have a hard time producing enough offense to win the game.