The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz at Indiana Pacers: Keys to a fourth straight win

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 15: Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers fights for the ball with Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of their game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 15, 2018 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. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 15: Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers fights for the ball with Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of their game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 15, 2018 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. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JANUARY 15: Thaddeus Young #21 of the Indiana Pacers passes around Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz in the second half of a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 15, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Indiana Pacers won 109-94. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JANUARY 15: Thaddeus Young #21 of the Indiana Pacers passes around Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz in the second half of a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 15, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Indiana Pacers won 109-94. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Key #2 – Win the battle of the boards

Despite boasting a pair of rebounding studs in the likes of Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis, the Pacers haven’t exactly been a solid rebounding team overall this year. That’s actually a big reason why they brought in veteran Trevor Booker from the buyout market who will make his Pacers debut against his former Jazz team on Wednesday.

So far on the season, the Pacers rank 22nd in the league in rebounds per game at 42.3, 19th in the league in rebound percentage at 49.7 percent, 14th in opponent rebounds per game at 42.9 and 19th in rebound differential at -0.6. Each of those marks is worse than that of the Utah Jazz.

However, you wouldn’t have known that judging by the last contest between these two teams as the Pacers had a considerable edge on the boards. It was one of the many areas where Utah was simply out-hustled in the loss.

Therefore, if the Jazz want to reverse their fate on Wednesday and come out on top, they’ll need to do a much better job of capitalizing against what’s been a mediocre rebounding team in the Indiana Pacers. Utah hasn’t been exceptional on the boards this season either, but they’ve obviously been much better with a healthy Gobert back in the lineup, so I expect them to continue to have an edge there.

Even with former Jazzman Trevor Booker ready to help bolster the Pacers’ rebounding effort, the Jazz should have the edge in that category which ought to help propel them to a big-time victory.

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