The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz vs. Boston Celtics: Keys to spoiling Hayward’s return

By John Keeffer

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 7: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz talks with the media after the game against the Dallas Mavericks on November 7, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome 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 - NOVEMBER 7: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz talks with the media after the game against the Dallas Mavericks on November 7, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome 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) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 07: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket against the Dallas Mavericks in the second half of a NBA game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on November 7, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 07: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket against the Dallas Mavericks in the second half of a NBA game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on November 7, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Establish a high Pace of Play

The Utah Jazz have been known for being one of the slowest teams in the league under Quin Snyder. They primarily have preferred to play in the half-court, they incorporate heavy ball movement, and they tend to shoot late into the shot clock.

This season though, they have actively looked to turn the corner. They are playing with more pace and purpose. Currently they are at a pace of close to 102 compared to 96.7 last season.

Ricky Rubio has been one of the main promoters of this. He consistently looks to push the pace of misses, and will look to kick the ball to open shooters. We can see from the game against Dallas that he whenever there is a long rebound, he is going to look for an opportunity to get an easy basket. Here, he runs the break and intentionally runs it into the teeth of the defense to create the open look for Mitchell.

The Boston Celtics are playing on a back-to-back on the road, and they had to come back from 22 points down to force overtime against the Phoenix Suns before ultimately winning. For all intents and purposes, they should be exhausted. If the Jazz can intentionally look to push the pace a bit more, they may be able to catch the Celtics with some tired legs.

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