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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May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates with fans during the fourth quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Stay composed

This variable has nothing to do with stats or numbers, it’s purely mental for both teams. The home arenas for the Warriors and Jazz, Oracle Arena and Vivint Smart Home Arena, are both fantastic environments. The fans always come decked out in yellow for the Warriors or white for the Jazz.

Both home arenas are the some of the loudest in all of sports, so it’ll be important for both teams to stay composed on the road. Especially for the Jazz, who will be coming to Oracle Arena for Games 1 and 2.

Golden State fans will immediately start chanting “WAAAAAAAARRIORS,” and the Jazz have to keep it together in this road environment. Yes, the Jazz won three games on the road in the first round against the Clippers, but the environment is vastly different.

With each 3-pointer from Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson, the crowd looks to jump out of their seats and blow the roof off of the building. The Jazz will need to try and stay focused and not let the crowd noise affect them. Especially for a young team, it’ll be important to keep their composure on the road, especially in Game 1, to get off to a fast start. It’s the same thing in Games 3 and 4 at Utah, but the Warriors are an experience ball club, who have played in adverse environments.

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For the Jazz, this will be the toughest and loudest game they’ll be playing in all year, can they show up and respond? Game 1 will be critical to the rest of this series, so can the Jazz steal one on the road, or will the Warriors continue their historic run?

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