The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz vs. New Orleans Pelicans: Keys to building a win streak

By Jared Woodcox

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 27: Anthony Davis #23 and Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans before the game against the Brooklyn Nets on December 27, 2017 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 27: Anthony Davis #23 and Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans before the game against the Brooklyn Nets on December 27, 2017 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – DECEMBER 30: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz looks on during their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 30, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – DECEMBER 30: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz looks on during their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 30, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Key #1 – Play with the right frame of mind

It’s easy to look through a box score and nit-pick on what went right or wrong on any given night. However, there are always several intangibles that don’t show up in the stats that often have more impact on the game than even the numbers can tell. In my opinion, this has been absolutely evident for the Jazz.

On some nights, despite solid shooting percentages or success in other areas, they’ve still fallen short because they haven’t seemed to be playing with the right frame of mind. By that I mean playing with confidence while also bringing energy, effort and intensity. In games where Utah has looked sluggish or come out of the gates flat-footed, they’ve seldom been able to recover and emerge victorious.

However, on the other hand, when they’ve played with energy on both ends of the court, it’s led to them moving the ball well and getting good lucks as well as playing suffocating D and forcing several opponent turnovers. The Jazz’s energy and confidence are what willed them to each of their three most recent impressive wins over the Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers and has been notable absent in recent embarrassing losses.

Therefore, if they’re to topple the Pelicans yet again this time around, they’ll need to come out swinging, play with a swagger and belief that they can win, and energize the home crowd from the game’s onset to get the fans behind them all game long.

Considering how solid the Jazz have been at home overall, if they’re able to get all that going for them, they will be extremely tough for New Orleans to stop.

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