Key #3 – Dominate the boards
The Portland Trail Blazers have been an exceptional rebounding team this year. They’re fifth in the league in rebounds per game (44.9), ninth in rebound percentage (51.1 percent) and tied for eighth in rebound differential at +2.0. However, based on Portland’s last outing against the Jazz, you’d never guess that they were typically so good at crashing the boards.
In that meeting, the Jazz out-rebounded the Blazers by an astounding count of 58-37. Utah’s rebound dominance was a big reason why they were able to come up so big in the second half and eventually run their opponent off the court.
Portland collects over five less rebounds in losses than in wins, meaning that even though they typically rebound well, if they’re beat in that department it will likely result in their defeat overall. The Jazz were fortunate last time around to only have to face the Blazers’ rebounding leader Jusuf Nurkic for 13 minutes as he left the game early with back and hip pain. He should be in action tonight, however, so that will provide a critical test for the Jazz on the boards.
The Jazz have been a much improved rebounding team since Rudy Gobert’s return (no surprise there) though, so they should have a great chance to outmatch Portland on the boards once again, which will hopefully eventually lead to victory.