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

Jared Woodcox|
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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BROOKLYN, NY – JANUARY 15: Kristaps Porzingis #6 and Michael Beasley #8 of the New York Knicks high five during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 15, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY – JANUARY 15: Kristaps Porzingis #6 and Michael Beasley #8 of the New York Knicks high five during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 15, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Key #3 – Hold Porzingis in check

And of course, in order to find success in Key #2, the Jazz will also need to put heavy emphasis on stopping Kristaps Porzingis overall in the game. Not only is Porzingis an effective paint presence, but he’s more than capable of spreading the floor as he’s knocking down 38.1 percent of his three-point attempts on the season.

Porzingis is such a dynamic and dangerous scorer that he’s certainly going to make Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors and/or Ekpe Udoh work their tails off to stop him. He’s a tough cover from beyond the arc all the way into the paint and it will be vital that the Jazz neutralize him in all aspects. He’s far and above New York’s leading scorer at 23.6 points per game, so if left unchecked he’s almost certain to go off.

And as The Unicorn has fared, so have the Knicks largely fared in conjunction with him. In wins, Porzingis is shooting 48.2 percent from the field and 42 percent from three while in defeats he’s shooting just 38.8 percent from the field and 34.7 percent from behind the arc. Those are major discrepancies in both areas, which just goes to show that if Utah can stop Porzingis, they’ll likely be able to stop his Knicks team.

It won’t be an easy task, especially with Rudy Gobert likely playing limited minutes and working to get back to his old self, but it will be vital nonetheless.

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