Fansided

NBA Playoffs 2017: 5 biggest x-factors

By Brandon Jefferson

March 6, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) grabs a rebound against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
March 6, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) grabs a rebound against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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sixth man
Mar 5, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) scores an uncontested three point basket against the Sacramento Kings during the overtime period at Golden 1 Center. The Utah Jazz defeated the Sacramento Kings 110-109 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Joe Ingles

Joe Ingles has gotten better from 3-point range in each of his three seasons, culminating with his scorching 44 percent shooting from deep this season (third-highest percentage in the league). The Australian swingman found himself playing a bigger role with the Utah Jazz this year than in past seasons.

Utah has very capable penetrators in George Hill and Gordon Hayward and when teams overhelp, Ingles is usually the beneficiary. However, despite being one of the better marksmen in the NBA, Ingles is very selective about the 3-pointers he takes. On the season he’s only attempted 275 3-pointers, Steph Curry has MADE 319.

With the Jazz perceived as a team that could possibly give the Golden State Warriors a good fight in a potential second round meeting, they are going to need Ingles to remain hot from the perimeter. In Utah’s three games against the Warriors this year, 22 of Ingles’ 39 total shots have been 3-pointers.

Defensively, Ingles is no slouch. At 6-foot-8 and 226 poundsm he is able to guard multiple positions on the court and when Golden State goes small it allows him to be even more effective. Ingles is by no mean a world-class athlete, but he possesses the basketball IQ to be in the right place at the right time. If he’s ever matched up against a guard he knows how to use his strength to his advantage. That same strength allows him to go blow-for-blow with bigs in the post.

Ingles versatility isn’t just a defensive trait either. He can serve as a secondary ball-handler when he shares the floor with Hill or Hayward and Quin Snyder even will allow him to initiate the offense himself.