The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz at San Antonio Spurs: Keys to keeping win streak alive

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 21: Kawhi Leonard #2 and Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs look on during the game against the Utah Jazz on DECEMBER 21, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 21: Kawhi Leonard #2 and Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs look on during the game against the Utah Jazz on DECEMBER 21, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SAN ANTONIO,TX – JANUARY 23 : Head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at AT
SAN ANTONIO,TX – JANUARY 23 : Head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at AT /

Key #2 – Force San Antonio into sloppy play

When you think of the San Antonio Spurs, one of the first traits that probably comes to mind is ‘disciplined.’ Coach Popovich and the Spurs vets have instilled a culture of hard work and focus that has largely led to the team’s long-time success regardless of who has been on the roster.

However, that doesn’t mean that the team is perfect. And if the Jazz are able to crack their focus and force them into poor decisions and sloppy play, they could very well build an advantage. In the earlier contest between these two teams in which Utah came out on top, the Jazz were surprisingly able to win the turnover battle as they posted 12 to San Antonio’s 14. Those 14 giveaways were just over San Antonio’s season average of 13.7, which is good for eighth best in the NBA.

And when looking at the difference between San Antonio’s wins and losses, they average about three more turnovers in defeats (15.3) than in wins (12.9). Therefore, an essential part of stopping San Antonio is getting them out of their groove and forcing them to cough up the ball.

The Spurs have also been a lackluster three-point shooting team this year at just 16th in the league at 36 percent. That number has dropped atrociously in losses to 30.4 percent. Therefore, between causing turnovers and forcing an already mediocre three-point shooting team into tough shots from deep, it has been entirely possible this season to get the Spurs out of their groove.

If Utah manages to do just that, it may very well be the secret to coming out on top.

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