Fansided

3 ways Ricky Rubio’s return could lift the Jazz

By Rucker Haringey

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 25: Ricky Rubio
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 25: Ricky Rubio /
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HOUSTON, TX – MAY 4: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball against the Houston Rockets during Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 4: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball against the Houston Rockets during Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. He can take pressure off Joe Ingles

Joe Ingles can be a real weapon for the Jazz if he’s used the right way. Snyder needs the 30-year-old Australian to stick with what he does best. That means Ingles should focus on spotting up for jumpers and spend less time forced to make plays off the dribble.

Against Houston in Game 3 Ingles really hurt his team by making five costly turnovers. Several of those were caused when Ingles was forced to become a primary or secondary ball-handler on Snyder’s offensive sets. Inserting Rubio back into the mix should alleviate Ingles’ need to be involved in that type of play.

It also, of course, should help Ingles find more open looks on the perimeter. In addition to his struggles handling the ball in Game 3, he also shot the ball poorly. Going 2-of-10 from the field isn’t going to help the Jazz get back into this series. Snyder will hope that Rubio’s return can get Ingles going again from the perimeter.

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