The J-Notes
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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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TORONTO, CANADA – JANUARY 26: Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Toronto Raptors goes to the basket 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: Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Toronto Raptors goes to the basket 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) /

Key #2 – Compete on the glass

A major reason why the Jazz were able to run the Perth Wildcats out of the building was because of their exceptional rebounding. The Jazz pulled down a whopping 60 boards compared to Perth’s 41. For a little comparison, the Jazz averaged just 43.3 rebounds per game last year, good for 20th in the league, and the NBA-best Philadelphia 76ers averaged just 47.4 per game. So, yeah, 60 is a lot.

Sure, part of that was because Perth missed a lot – I mean a lot – of shots, but still, it was good to see Utah dominate the glass. They’ll have their work cut out for them as they seek to do the same against the Toronto Raptors, though.

The Raptors are a fundamentally sound team all around and rebounding is no exception. Jonas Valanciunas, who is a guy that’s given even Rudy Gobert some trouble in the past, is a relentless hustler on the boards. Meanwhile, Toronto’s young gun Pascal Siakam ripped down a whopping 13 rebounds in just under 21 minutes of play in the team’s preseason debut.

In other words, the battle on the glass and in the paint is going to be fierce and will be an intriguing one to watch. With so many talented bigs on both sides, I wouldn’t be surprised if the team that pulls down the most rebounds ultimately comes out on top.

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