Utah Jazz vs. Toronto Raptors: Keys to remain undefeated at home

Key #1 – Wear the Raptors down

It isn’t exactly common, particularly this early in the season, but the Toronto Raptors currently find themselves on a six-game road trip, their longest such of their 2017-18 campaign. And to say it’s been a difficult stint would be a vast understatement as the Raps have faced the San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets and now tonight the Utah Jazz in this same stretch.

It hasn’t exactly been the kindest trip for Toronto as they’ve gone just 2-3 so far, losing to the Spurs, Warriors and Nuggets. However, it should be noted that they were in the driver’s seat in their contest against Golden State, but just so happened to falter down the stretch. In other words, this is a solid team that can hang with the best and should not be underestimated.

However, such a long trip on opposing teams’ courts is never fun. As the Raptors make their way to the final stop before finally heading back home, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them come out somewhat sluggish and very much fatigued. Therefore, the Jazz will absolutely need to take advantage of that.

Utah’s defense has been absolutely suffocating so far this season and if it can capitalize on the ragged legs and travel-weary bodies of the Raptors, the Jazz might be able to actually get a decent jump on them from the game’s onset. That is the mentality that Utah has to come out with. They need to be well aware of Toronto’s nasty schedule to start the year and look to wear them down defensively and run them off the floor where possible on offense.

If the Jazz execute well from the start and beat the tired Raptors down early and throughout the game, then they should very well be able to defend home court once again and come away with the win.