The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz vs. LA Clippers: Keys to a much-needed home win

By Jared Woodcox

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 30: Austin Rivers #25 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against the Utah Jazz on November 30, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 30: Austin Rivers #25 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against the Utah Jazz on November 30, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JANUARY 19: Utah Jazz huddle during the game against the New York Knicks on January 19, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JANUARY 19: Utah Jazz huddle during the game against the New York Knicks on January 19, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Key #2 – Share the ball to produce good looks

Both the Jazz and the Clippers rank near the bottom of the NBA in assists with LA ranking 23rd at 21.5 per game and the Jazz ranking 25th at 21 per game. However, in these two teams’ last meeting, the Jazz offense was undoubtedly firing on all cylinders as they logged an incredible 38 assists compared to LA’s 23. That’s nearly DOUBLE Utah’s season average.

With neither team doing an exceptional job of setting up their teammates with easy baskets off assists this season, if one of these squads can find a rhythm doing so just as the Jazz did last time around, then it could very well be the difference-maker in the game. Of course, part of making the assist work is making the shot off the nice pass, which is something the Jazz need to do much better.

They’ve shot just 44 percent from the field and 31.3 percent from deep over their last 15 games, so regardless of how well they move the ball, it’s pretty obvious that they need to step up their shooting if they’re to have any hope of actually logging those assists. It seems like on several occasions (including last night against New York) the Jazz have left easy points on the table by not converting on beautiful passes for wide open shots.

If they can rack up the assists tonight as they aim to always make the right basketball play and share the ball effectively, they may just be able to get those shots to fall and produce the required offensive firepower to stop a formidable Clippers squad.

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