
Key #3 – Attack the paint relentlessly
One of the biggest contributors to Utah’s win over the Brooklyn Nets last Saturday was Derrick Favors as he was able to thrive in the pick-and-roll and have his way in the psint, scoring 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting while hauling in 12 rebounds. Albeit against lackluster competition, Favors looked momentarily like the D-Faves of old and it was refreshing to see him dominate in the post.
However, part of the reason for his success was the simple fact that the Nets have a very poor frontcourt that offers little resistance down low. Although Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is becoming a solid player and former Jazzman Trevor Booker is an excellent energy player, neither has the necessary size or tools to stop Favors, and Brooklyn’s starting center Timofey Mozgov isn’t putting all that much fear into anyone.
Therefore, Favors should enjoy success once again versus this Nets team and the Jazz should definitely make it a point to attack the paint at will. Brooklyn just so happens to be the fifth worst team in the league in terms of opponent points allowed in the paint (47.7 per game) so it will be vital that the Jazz attack at will and seek out easy baskets.
.@dfavors14 hears the rumors. He knows his future with the @utahjazz is murky as free agency approaches at the end of the season. But he says he's determined to tune out the noise and just play. https://t.co/OyfMqCOfPT pic.twitter.com/5dRKwW7QpO
— Salt Lake Tribune Sports (@sltribsports) November 16, 2017
Especially considering that Brooklyn is missing its two leading scorers in D’Angelo Russell and Jeremy Lin (who, granted, played in just one game before suffering a season-ending injury), offense will likely be hard to come by, so if the Jazz can bully their way in the paint to earn several easy points, they should be in great shape.
The Nets have some solid young guys and formidable vets, but overall they are a team of good role players, but little else. Brooklyn is capable of surprising its opponents, especially if the Jazz fail to achieve the first key and struggle to remain focused, but overall they are very beatable. Particularly if Utah is able to have their way down low, this should be an easy victory for them.