Dominate the pain on both ends of the floor
With a healthy Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert, most nights the Utah Jazz are going to have the edge down low. With Cousins already out for the season and Anthony Davis likely out for the game on Sunday afternoon, the Jazz are going to have the clear advantage in the paint, and they need to take advantage.
Gobert has been especially dominant during this recent stretch in March. Prior to the matchup against Memphis, Gobert was averaging 21.5 points, 15 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, and 1.5 steals.
Both Gobert and Favors have been equally dominant, if not more so, on the defensive side of the ball. Being able to play Favors as the primary backup center, has allowed for 48 minutes of effective paint protection.
The Jazz defense with Rudy Gobert on the floor beyond comprehension recently.
— David Locke (@DLocke09) March 10, 2018
Since Jan 19th it is 96.1 with Gobert on floor.
The key however it is is also 101.0 with Gobert on the bench, which would also be #1 in the NBA
Derrick Favors has been amazing as well.
This needs to be a game where Gobert and Favors make their presence felt from the starting tip. The Pelicans’ starting bigs are likely going to be Emeka Okafor and Nikola Mirotic. As long as the Jazz can win the matchup on the interior, I expect them to come out on top.