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Utah Jazz at Cleveland Cavaliers: Keys to first win of 2019

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 30: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz goes to the basket in front of Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second half of the 104-101 win by the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 30, 2017 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. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 30: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz goes to the basket in front of Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second half of the 104-101 win by the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 30, 2017 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. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 17: Larry Nance Jr. #24 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz competes in the 2018 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest at Staples Center on February 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 17: Larry Nance Jr. #24 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz competes in the 2018 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest at Staples Center on February 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

The Utah Jazz will look to set a new tone for the 2019 portion of their schedule when they visit the dismal Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.

Unfortunately, the Utah Jazz started off 2019 much like the rest of the season has gone so far – disappointingly. Utah fell to the Toronto Raptors in a close-fought game in which Utah couldn’t take advantage of injuries to both Kyle Lowry and Jonas Valanciunas.

Sure, the Raptors are one of the best teams in the NBA, and the Jazz showed some encouraging fight at times. But more than anything the predominant theme of not being able to come up big when needed continued in the New Year’s Day bout.

As such, when the Jazz return to action on Friday in Cleveland, they’ll be looking for their first win of 2019. Fortunately, the Cavs are a much weaker foe than the Toronto Raptors, so their odds should be much greater. Nevertheless, in a league of professionals, no team can be overlooked regardless of their perceived stature, so the Jazz will have to come out prepared.

If they are to do so and come away victorious, they’ll need to be sure to excel in the following three key areas.

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