The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz vs. Milwaukee Bucks: Keys to winning second straight

By Jared Woodcox

Milwaukee, WI - FEBRUARY 24: John Henson #31 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots the ball against the Utah Jazz on February 24, 2017 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
Milwaukee, WI - FEBRUARY 24: John Henson #31 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots the ball against the Utah Jazz on February 24, 2017 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – FEBRUARY 24: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a free throw during a game against the Utah Jazz at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on February 24, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – FEBRUARY 24: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a free throw during a game against the Utah Jazz at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on February 24, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Key #3 – Contain the Greek Freak

My J-Notes colleague Ryan Aston touched on it yesterday, but the true key to defeating the Milwaukee Bucks is by cutting the head off of the snake and holding their star player Giannis Antetokounmpo in check. The so-called Greek Freak has been an absolute force to be reckoned with this season as he’s putting up per game averages of 29.7 points (second in the NBA) on 55.2 percent shooting from the field, 10.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.9 blocks.

Stopping Giannis is a tough task regardless of the circumstances, but particularly with renowned rim protector Rudy Gobert out of commission, Utah is in for a daunting challenge. The likes of Thabo Sefolosha, Joe Ingles and Derrick Favors at the rim will all have to step up considerably if they’re going to have any hope of slaying the beast.

Fortunately for the Jazz, Antetokounmpo’s numbers have been significantly down in losses, meaning that as he tends to go, so does his Bucks team. In defeats, he’s averaging nearly 4.5 points less per game and shooting over 7.5 percent less effectively. Oddly enough (though there’s certainly some correlation), the poor three-point shooting Antetokounmpo (26.7 percent on the season) is shooting 33.3 percent from deep in losses compared to 16.7 percent in wins.

The key statistic in that regard, though, is not in the percentage, but rather in the attempts per game. In those losses where Giannis is converting threes at a more efficient clip, he’s also shooting 2.3 per game, whereas in victories, he’s keeping his three-point attempts down to 1.5.

In other words, shooting the three-ball isn’t exactly a strong aspect of his game and teams are enjoying heightened success against him when they’re forcing him into settling for the long J rather than allowing him to have his way in the paint and mid-range. Antetokounmpo is an extremely effective slasher and is deadly when he’s near the basket (73.9 percent shooting within 10 feet of the basket), so Utah needs to keep him out of his comfort zone on the perimeter and do everything in their power to force him out of the paint and into tough long-range shots.

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