The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz at Charlotte Hornets: Keys to closing road trip on a high note

By Jared Woodcox

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 2: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets gets introduced into the starting lineup against the Sacramento Kings on January 2, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 2: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets gets introduced into the starting lineup against the Sacramento Kings on January 2, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 10: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz during the game against the Washington Wizards on January 10, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 10: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz during the game against the Washington Wizards on January 10, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Key #1 – Somehow, someway build some momentum

As I already mentioned, the Jazz have pulled off some big wins of late, but have almost constantly followed them up with a major letdown immediately after. That’s been the case so often, in fact, that they haven’t won consecutive games since December 1st and December 4th.

That’s a long time to go without stringing together any sort of winning streak. Therefore, in spite of Utah’s season-long issues on the road, if they’re to earn a win tonight and truly turn things around, it will be critical that they find a way to build some momentum and get on a roll right off the bat.

Utah’s energy away from Vivint Smart Home Arena just hasn’t been up to the task hardly at all this season and that’s resulted in them falling flat on their face multiple times even against subpar opponents. The Jazz will need to ride the high from Wednesday’s win and take it with them into Charlotte to get off to a hot start and never look back.

The Hornets are a team that the Jazz have struggled mightily against on the road the last few seasons, but rather than dwell on that, they need to simply come in with confidence, control the game’s tempo and prevent a less than stirring Hornets team from building up any sort of lead for themselves.

If the Jazz come into the game flat-footed, much like they did in recent road contests against the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder, they’ll be an easy target, even for a struggling Charlotte team.

Home/Jazz News