This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Here are some of the keys for the Utah Jazz tonight, if they want to walk away from Portland with a win over the Trail Blazers.
1. Control turnovers: If the Jazz can make Portland play in the halfcourt, and grind it out in a possession game, they certainly have a shot. That can't happen if they are turning the ball over and the Blazers are getting out into transition. Portland's tough and athletic in the open floor, and when they do get the chance to score easy buckets, they usually convert. Over the past few years, Utah's achilles heel offensively has been taking care of the ball. That will be big for the Jazz tonight.
2. Make Mason Plumlee score: Without much fanfare, Portland's center has become a key to the Trail Blazer offense, not by scoring a bunch of points, but by collapsing the defense off pick and roll and finding open 3-point shooters. He's adept at playing in tandem with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, taking passes from either of them and finding shooters in 4-on-3 situations. Plumlee is a great passer for a big man, but not a very good finisher. The Jazz have to be disciplined, and not overreact when he penetrates the lane. If they do, the Blazers will be taking wide open threes all night long.
3. Make shots: Seems simple, but it's huge. The open looks the Jazz get? They have to make them at a high percentage. The NBA is a make or miss league. If the Jazz shoot well, they will be in the game. If they don't, it could be a long night.
What to watch for
1. Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward are out. How do the Jazz play without their two mainstays? How do Joe Johnson and Boris Diaw step in and play?
2. Dante Exum will play in his first official game. He was loose and joked around at shootaround this morning. How does he play when the lights are on?
3. Can the Jazz defend Portland? Utah isn't going to shut down Lillard or McCollum — they are too good. But can they defend the other guys and make the Blazers a two man team?
— Tony Jones