The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz vs. Golden State Warriors: Keys to a W over the Dubs

By Jared Woodcox

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 27: Omri Casspi #18 of the Golden State Warriors looks to shoot against Thabo Sefolosha #22 and Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz at ORACLE Arena on December 27, 2017 in Oakland, 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. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 27: Omri Casspi #18 of the Golden State Warriors looks to shoot against Thabo Sefolosha #22 and Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz at ORACLE Arena on December 27, 2017 in Oakland, 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. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 27: Shaun Livingston #34 of the Golden State Warriors is guarded by Thabo Sefolosha #22 of the Utah Jazz at ORACLE Arena on December 27, 2017 in Oakland, 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. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 27: Shaun Livingston #34 of the Golden State Warriors is guarded by Thabo Sefolosha #22 of the Utah Jazz at ORACLE Arena on December 27, 2017 in Oakland, 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. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Key #2 – Somehow hold firm on the perimeter

A major reason why the Utah Jazz have had a more disappointing season than many presumed they would this year is because their defense hasn’t been nearly as staunch as advertised heading into the start of the 2017-18 campaign. Sure, injuries have played their role in this, but overall there’s little excuse for how poorly the Jazz have defended this year.

That’s exponentially true regarding Utah’s perimeter defense, which has been nothing short of terrible. The Jazz are currently second to last in the league in opponent three-point shooting percentage at 37.9 percent.

That kind of poor defense is an absolute death wish against the Golden State Warriors, who have been the NBA’s most deadly three-point shooting team this season at 39.6 percent. The quickest way to lose to the Warriors is to allow them to get in a groove from deep by giving them open look after open look.

Utah has struggled mightily to contain even the weakest of shooting teams from beyond the arc, so they’ll need to undergo a vast improvement if they are to stop Golden State. In Jazz wins this season, they’ve held their opponents to just 33.3 percent three-point shooting whereas in losses, they’ve allowed opponents to torch the nets from deep at a rate of 41.4 percent.

In other words, their ability to hold opponents in check from the perimeter has been the difference-maker in contests all season long and certainly will be the difference tonight.

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