The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz at Denver Nuggets: Keys to winning season series

By Jared Woodcox

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 26: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz dunks the ball around Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets against the Denver Nuggets on December 26, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 26: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz dunks the ball around Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets against the Denver Nuggets on December 26, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 26: Trey Lyles #7 of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket against the Utah Jazz on December 26, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 26: Trey Lyles #7 of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket against the Utah Jazz on December 26, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Key #2 – Somehow compete on the boards

In my preview of the last Jazz-Nuggets game, I pinned winning the rebound battle as a significant key. The Jazz have been a poor rebounding team all season long whereas the Nuggets have been one of the best, so I knew it would be critical for Utah to seek to reverse that trend. Unfortunately, they didn’t come anywhere close to doing so.

Instead, Denver walloped Utah on the glass, out-rebounding them by a count of 53-42 and beating them on the defensive boards 43-30. Of course, it was pretty easy for the Nuggets to win that battle considering all the shots Utah missed, but that kind of lopsided result is still unacceptable and isn’t going to lead to many wins.

Therefore, although the Nuggets have a clear advantage in the rebounding department based on how well they’ve done it all year, the Jazz need to at least seek to close the gap this time around if they’re going to be able to compete at all with a gritty Denver squad.

Considering how tough offense has been to come by for the Jazz all season long and particularly in the recent contest against the Nuggets, the Jazz need to count on solid rebounding in order to generate extra possessions and easy second chance points. If they’re unable to come through in that area, Denver will more than likely win tonight’s game and tie up the season series in short order.

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