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Utah Jazz vs. New Orleans Pelicans: Keys to keep win streak alive on Star Wars Night

Jared Woodcox|
March 05, 2016: New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) drives to the basket during the NBA game between the Utah Jazz and the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA. (Photograph by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire) (Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images)
March 05, 2016: New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) drives to the basket during the NBA game between the Utah Jazz and the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA. (Photograph by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire) (Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 29: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans react during the first half of a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Smoothie King Center on November 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 29: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans react during the first half of a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Smoothie King Center on November 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Key #3 – Find a way to stop the Pelican’s Twin Towers

Historically, Derrick Favors has matched up extremely well against Anthony Davis and Rudy Gobert has matched up extremely well against DeMarcus Cousins. Therefore, if both were active tonight, I would be feeling very good about Utah’s chances. Unfortunately, as we all know, Rudy will be out once again as he looks to get back from his knee injury, so it will largely be up to Favors to protect the rim and control the paint.

He’s certainly done a good job of that of late on each end of the floor, but tonight’s bout is going to be quite the test for Favors as both of New Orleans’ big men can play the four or the five and both are highly capable of extending their range well past the three-point line. On the season, Davis is averaging 25.6 points on 57 percent shooting from the field and 35.9 percent from deep while Cousins is averaging 25.1 points on 46.2 percent shooting from the field and 32.2 percent from deep.

That’s a deadly combo that combines for over 50 points per contest that the Jazz will have to find a way to stop. Derrick Favors can’t be expected to do it all on his own, so other bigs like Jonas Jerebko and Ekpe Udoh will definitely have to find a way to step up. Considering the size of both Boogie and the Brow, it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Jazz roll with Favors and Udoh together for small bits of time.

If the Jazz can force both into low scoring or poor shooting nights, they’re almost guaranteed a win. The bad news is that without the Stifle Tower looming in the paint, that’s going to be a very tall order.

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