The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz vs. Toronto Raptors: Keys to a preseason victory

By Jared Woodcox

TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 26: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors passes the ball against the Utah Jazz on January 26, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 26: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors passes the ball against the Utah Jazz on January 26, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – SEPTEMBER 29: Grayson Allen #24 of the Utah Jazz talks with media after the game against the Perth Wildcats during a preseason game on September 29, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – SEPTEMBER 29: Grayson Allen #24 of the Utah Jazz talks with media after the game against the Perth Wildcats during a preseason game on September 29, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Key #1 – Bring the swagger from the Perth game

As I already mentioned, it wasn’t by any means surprising to see the Utah Jazz dominate the Perth Wildcats last week. Considering how much more talented the Jazz are than the NBL squad, it goes without saying that they would out-perform them.

Still, while it’s inarguable that Perth simply didn’t provide much resistance, there’s also no denying that Utah executed their game plan quite well, especially for their first contest of the season. They had a cohesion and togetherness that led to good shots, solid ball movement and their typical relentless defense.

The Jazz played with an unyielding confidence that allowed them to get off to a big early start and never look back from there. Utah would finish the night shooting an astounding 54.2 percent from the field and 47.6 percent from deep.

Now, I don’t expect Utah to lay down a 58-point beatdown on Toronto like they did against Perth. However, even though the Raptors are a much, much stronger opponent, the Jazz need to go into that contest with the same swagger and confidence that they showed against the Wildcats.

The Raptors are and will be a good team, sure. But they still have to acclimate to the arrival of Kawhi Leonard and learn to play with one another. Meanwhile, the Jazz know each other so well that they should be able to fire on all cylinders almost immediately.

These two teams will be pretty evenly matched, especially considering that they’re playing mere preseason basketball, but if the Jazz can hold the mental edge over the visiting Raptors, then I like their chances.

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