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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Apr 10, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) defends the shot by Golden State Warriors center JaVale McGee (1) during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Jazz won 105-99. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Get on the glass

This might be the biggest advantage for the Jazz, heading into the series. Featuring Rudy Gobert on the front-line allows them to dominate the glass and not give up second-shot opportunities to the opponent.

During the season, Gobert averaged 12.8 rebounds per game, while the Jazz as a team, averaged 43.2 rebounds per game. When facing the Jazz, opponents were only able to average 10.7 second chance points per contest, which ranks second in the NBA.

The Warriors on the other hand, were near the bottom of the league in giving up second chance points to opponents, ranked 28th, giving up nearly 14.0 second chance points per game.

Now, looking more specifically at the regular season history between the Warriors and Jazz, Gobert killed them on the boards, averaging an other-worldly 17.3 rebounds per game in those three games. As a team, the Jazz averaged 46.3 rebounds per contest against the Warriors.

Although the Warriors averaged the same amount of rebounds, 46.3, against the Jazz, the number of offensive rebounds held the disparity. Utah was able to collect nearly five more offensive rebounds per game, leading to extra cracks at the basket. Playing Golden State, the more opportunity you have to score, the better your chances get.

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