The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz vs. Indiana Pacers: Keys to getting the W at home

By Jared Woodcox

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 12: Lance Stephenson #1 and Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers jump and celebrate after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 12, 2018 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 12: Lance Stephenson #1 and Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers jump and celebrate after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 12, 2018 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – JANUARY 12: Head coach Quin Snyder talks to Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz during their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on January 12, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – JANUARY 12: Head coach Quin Snyder talks to Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz during their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on January 12, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Key #1 – Dominate the second half, especially 3rd quarter

One of the reasons why the Indiana Pacers have been so exciting this year is that they have been a team that absolutely never quits. They’ve posted comeback win after comeback win this season, most recently against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday where Indiana overcame a 22-point deficit to seal the victory. It was an absolutely mind-blowing and gritty performance where they clearly showed their mettle.

Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz, especially of late, have struggled to get going after halftime, particularly during the third quarter. On the season, the Jazz are being outscored by 1.5 points in the third quarter, which is 24th in the league. In losses, that number drops catastrophically as they’re outscored by 6.1 points, 28th in the league.

Not only that, but the two teams trailing Utah in that regard have winning records, so you could make a pretty logical argument that Utah has been the worst third quarter team in the NBA based on all their losses. Even if Utah takes a lead into halftime, that’s something that the Pacers are more than accustomed to and the Jazz can’t afford to come out flat-footed or it’s likely that Indiana will come out ready to surge back to the lead.

The Pacers have the eighth best point differential in the league in third quarters, so that’s clearly been their money time while it’s ironically been where Utah has struggled. Interestingly enough, the Utah Jazz have been solid on the season in the fourth quarter with the league’s sixth best point differential.

In wins, they’ve blown teams away in the final period with a +5.9 differential, the best in the league. Meanwhile, Indiana hasn’t been nearly as strong in the fourth quarter as they have been in the third, which means the Jazz will need to likely hold off a strong Pacers push in the third then keep up their usual strong play in the fourth to come out on top.

Of course, every game is different, but judging on past contests where Indiana has come out of halftime energized and dangerous while Utah has come out somewhat idle, the third quarter play of both teams may very well determine the victor in tonight’s contest.

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