The J-Notes
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 27: Thabo Sefolosha #22 of the Utah Jazz watches his shot against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on December 27, 2017 in Oakland, California. 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 27: Thabo Sefolosha #22 of the Utah Jazz watches his shot against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on December 27, 2017 in Oakland, California. 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Key #3 – Capitalize on turnovers

Another area in which the Utah Jazz had the edge in their previous win over the Pelicans was in the turnover department as the Jazz finished with just eight to New Orleans’ ten. In truth, both teams took care of the ball relatively well, but the fact that Utah won that battle was a nice aspect of the victory.

And if Utah hopes to win again, they’ll need to do their best to once again top New Orleans in this category. On the season, the Pelicans haven’t exactly done a great job of taking care of the ball. They’re just 27th in the league in turnovers at 15.8 per game and 24th in the league in opponent points off turnovers at 18.3 per game.

In other words, the Pelicans tend to cough the ball up with significant regularity and their opponents then tend to take advantage. Especially considering that at times Utah’s offense struggles to get going, it will be absolutely critical that they continue that trend by forcing the Pelicans into turnovers then capitalizing on them themselves.

If the Jazz can cause New Orleans to match or surpass their season averages in turnovers and opponent points off turnovers on Wednesday night, then Utah will likely be in an extremely favorable position to win the game.

Home/Jazz News