NBA Playoffs 2017: 5 keys to Warriors vs. Jazz matchup

Apr 10, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Zaza Pachulia (27) looks at Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) as he holds his eye after a play during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Jazz won 105-99. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

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December 20, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) controls the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Jazz 104-74. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Who’s the Defensive Player of the Year

Although Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard has won the Defensive Player of the Year award the past two seasons, with Draymond Green finishing as runner-up, it’s likely to change this year. Green will probably bring the prestigious honor home, while Rudy Gobert finishes as runner-up.

But, it is a regular-season award and the player with a bigger impact defensively for their team can definitely help win a few games this series. Gobert is the taller, rim-protecting defender who can also occasionally deal with perimeter players. Green’s best strength is his versatility, who can guard all of the positions and swing games with his defensive intensity.

Defensively, in the three games during the regular season, Gobert averaged 1.7 blocks per game, wreaking havoc in the interior and clogging the lane. Green on the other hand, was using his defensive intensity to create turnovers, averaging 3.7 steals per game during their regular season matchup.

The biggest question will be whether Gobert can physically be able to do everything on the defensive end to protect the paint. Especially when the Warriors decide to go small, can Gobert still be effective on the floor?

The winner of Game 1 — and likely the series — will be the team that has the better defensive player.

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