New York Knicks Preview: The Keys To Defeating The Utah Jazz

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Nov 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks point guard Derrick Rose (25) controls the ball against the Houston Rockets in front of New York Knicks center Joakim Noah (13) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Ball Movement

The New York Knicks enter the clash with the Utah Jazz at 2-3. The two wins have shared a common trait, while the three losses have done the same—and those traits will define the rest of New York’s season.

If the Knicks are hoping to defeat the defensive-minded Jazz, then they cannot afford to let the ball stick with any one player.

During New York’s three losses, it’s averaged 17.7 assists to 15.0 turnovers per game. That’s good for an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.18, which simply will not suffice for a team with postseason aspirations and even higher expectations.

In the two games that the Knicks have won, Jeff Hornacek’s crew is averaging 28.0 assists to 8.5 turnovers per game—an assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.29.

It’s unlikely that the Knicks will average 28.0 assists per game, as the league-leading Golden State Warriors averaged 28.9 in 2015-16 and no other team exceeded 25.6. It’s a fair target, however, although the statistics aren’t what truly matter.

Brandon Jennings, Joakim Noah, and Derrick Rose kept the ball moving against Chicago—a combined 22 assists to four turnovers—and need to do the same against Utah.

Must Read: Players who stepped up against Chicago

Ball movement will be the key to creating efficient offense against one of the best defensive teams in the NBA.

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