Allow the mid-range, but contest the mid-range
The final focus for the Jazz is going to be to force the mid-range shot, while also contesting it. I know that sounds strange, but the Spurs are one of the few teams left in the NBA who are happy to take the mid-range shot, and that is because they have a couple of stars who can make them.
As a team, the Spurs connect on about 36 percent of their shot attempts from 15-19 ft. From 20 ft. to the 3-point line, that number actually jumps up to 40 percent. Those are respectable numbers compared to many teams. That said, it is still the right shot to give up. The Spurs shoot 38 percent from three, so by the math, giving up the mid-range is the right move.
The issue with the Spurs is that you can’t just give them open looks from the mid-range, because as noted above, they are capable of hitting those shots.
From 10-16 ft., the Spurs have five rotational players who shoot better than 40 percent, led by Rudy Gay, who is shooting an absurd 63 percent in that range. From 16 ft. to the 3-point line, they still have three players consistently hitting above 40 percent.
Six straight points for @RudyGay early in LA! https://t.co/FvMmwND5aW
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) December 6, 2018
So while it is the right shot to force them into taking, you still have to find a way to contest those attempts so they aren’t just practice shots. If the Jazz can make the Spurs struggle from that area of the floor, their offense should struggle.