The Utah Jazz have been an above-average defensive team statistically every season since 2014-15, in no small part due to the presence of perennial All-Defense center Rudy Gobert, who ranks sixth in the NBA in blocks this season, averaging 2.0 a game. New Orleans has experienced a fair share of success offensively in 2019-20 while facing Utah, however, putting up 120, 126 and 138 points in its three head-to-head matchups (the latter was in overtime). How have the Pelicans done it? By emphasizing aggressiveness on that end of the floor.
“Moving the ball and attacking them with straight-line drives,” guard Jrue Holiday said after Thursday’s shootaround of what’s worked vs.