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Utah Jazz vs. New York Knicks: Keys to a two-game winning streak

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 15: Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz shoots the ball during the game against the New York Knicks on November 15, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 15: Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz shoots the ball during the game against the New York Knicks on November 15, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 15: Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball during the game Utah Jazz on November 15, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 15: Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball during the game Utah Jazz on November 15, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Key #2 – Step up in the paint

At 20-25 and 10th in the Eastern Conference, it’s pretty clear that the Knicks are far from a complete team. Nevertheless, one area where they’ve been absolutely effective is in both protecting and scoring in the paint.

The Knicks are ninth in the league in points in the paint (46.6 per game), sixth in offensive rebounding (10.7 per game) and fourth in second chance points (14.2 per game). Meanwhile, on the defensive end, they’ve been just as effective. They’re third in the league in blocks (5.4 per game), seventh in overall rebounding (44.8 per game) and second in the league in opponent points in the paint (41.1 per game).

In other words, the Knicks are bullies down low on both ends of the floor. They generate a lot of their points close to the hoop, feast on offensive rebounds and prevent other teams from getting their easy baskets from inside the key. This comes as little surprise considering that the Knicks have two extremely solid big men in Kristaps Porzingis and Enes Kanter, who have both been phenomenal this year on offense and at gobbling up rebounds.

Therefore, it will be critical that the Jazz find a way to counter New York’s successful paint attack by stretching out the Knicks defense and challenging down low. Of course, having the Stifle Tower in action will certainly help with the latter, but Utah’s offense is going to have to step up big time if they’re truly going to outmatch the Knicks overall and come away victorious.

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