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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MILWAUKEE, WI – JANUARY 03: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers walks across the court in the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center on January 3, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – JANUARY 03: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers walks across the court in the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center on January 3, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Key #2 – Keep Indy off the three-point line

Surprising though it may seem, the Indiana Pacers are second in the league in three-point percentage at 38.3 percent, trailing only the incredibly talented Golden State Warriors (38.9 percent). When you look at what their individual guys are shooting, though, it becomes clear just how the Pacers have been so red-hot from deep.

Bojan Bogdanovic, Domantas Sabonis and Cory Joseph are all shooting over 38 percent while Victor Oladipo, Alex Poythress, Darren Collison and T.J. Leaf are all shooting over 40 percent.

Ironically enough, though, while the Pacers are near the top in the league in three-point percentage, they’re also among the bottom in the league in three-point attempts as they put up just 24.8 per contest, good for 25th in the NBA. In other words, the three-point shot has been an incredible weapon for Indy, but they haven’t overused it, but have instead relied on a well-balanced attack.

Even with that being the case, the Pacers are taking exactly two more three-point shots in wins than in losses. So if Utah wants to hold Indiana in check and prevent them from getting in a groove from three where they’ve been red hot, they’ll need to do everything they can to limit them from getting good looks from behind the arc.

The Pacers are also shooting an incredible 43.4 percent from deep in wins and just 31.9 percent in losses. That’s a stark difference and just goes to show that if Indy is hitting from three (which they do extremely well) they’re likely winning the game. The Jazz will need to take it upon themselves to seal up the perimeter with everything they have if they are to prevent the Pacers from running them off the court.

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