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By most statistical measures, Trey Burke is having a career season for the Utah Jazz.

His field goal percentage is up six points from his normal average and his 3-point shooting is up almost seven. Burke, the third-year point guard from Michigan, has settled into his role off the bench as a backcourt scorer. He's still playing almost 23 minutes a night, depending on matchups. He's said he's more comfortable with the game, and the NBA.

"I'm not thinking so much anymore and just trying to be aggressive," Burke said. "I'm trying to be a playmaker and get everyone involved every night. Seeing different looks from different teams, I'm just trying to take what the defense is giving me."

One has to look no further than Utah's matchup with the New York Knicks on Wednesday to witness Burke's progression. He scored nine points in 11 minutes during the first half, as the Jazz rang up a 25-point lead by halftime.

Burke penetrated at will off the dribble. He made his only 3-point attempt. His best play was a wicked crossover on Knicks rookie sensation Kristaps Porzingis, a swift move into the paint and a lay-in. He controlled the pace of the second unit, which allowed the Jazz to pull away early.

"It's really all about making the right play, and making the best pass to the open man," Burke said. "It's about running the best action that's going to benefit the team. I've been watching a lot of film and I feel the game is slowing down. I've been making much more of an effort to get into the paint and that's helped break down opposing defenses."

The simple things

The rookie season for Trey Lyles has been about taking small steps. On Tuesday night, in a loss to the Sacramento Kings, the forward out of Kentucky set a career-high with seven points. On Wednesday night, Lyles grabbed eight rebounds in the first half against the Knicks. Quin Snyder has been playing Lyles with the starting unit in Rudy Gobert's injury absence, and Lyles has rewarded that faith with good minutes.

Experimenting

With Gobert out, Snyder said he will mix and match his personnel in an effort to find ways to cope until Gobert returns to the lineup. One of the things Snyder said he would do is look at Jeff Withey in big combinations, which would allow Derrick Favors to return to his more natural power forward spot at times.

"Jeff has watched a lot of tape in the last day and a half," Snyder said. "He's done some good things. I don't think you take anything off the table, as far as combinations go."