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Utah Jazz at Indiana Pacers: Keys to a fourth straight win

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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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 04: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers takes the ball up court against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. 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 Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 04: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers takes the ball up court against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. 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 Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Key #3 – Keep Victor Oladipo in check

While there have been some exceptions, such as in the Indiana Pacers’ most recent win over the Milwaukee Bucks in which Bojan Bogdanovic went off and played the hero, on most nights, as Victor Oladipo goes, so go the Pacers. He was phenomenal the last time Indy and Utah matched up as he put up 28 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the field while converting on 5-of-8 from the three-point line.

The Pacers are winless in games that Oladipo hasn’t played and the difference in his efficiency in losses versus wins is significant. From the field he shoots 45.1 percent in defeats compared to 49.5 percent in wins and from deep he shoots just 30.3 percent in losses compared to 41.8 percent in wins. As a 37.1 percent three-point shooter on the season, it’s pretty evident that Oladipo can catch fire from long range, but if he struggles in that regard, it typically results in a defeat for his team.

He was off from behind the arc in the month of February as he converted on just 23.4 percent of his deep balls. In three games in the month of March (coinciding with a three-game win streak) Oladipo has seemingly found his stroke anew as he’s averaging 41.7 percent from three.

Ideally, the Jazz will force him into a funk more resembling of his February funk rather than allow him to continue streaking. Oladipo has been every bit deserving of the All-Star nod he received this year and is a force to be reckoned with. If the Jazz don’t game plan to stop him, it’s quite likely that the Pacers will handily come out on top.

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