Atlanta Hawks key No. 2 ) Keep their big men off the boards
The Jazz has one of the best one-two punches at the center position in the entire league. They have Rudy Gobert who is averaging 13.4 rebounds per game which is the second-highest average in the league this season.
When he sits, the Jazz then turns to Derrick Favors who was the starting center for the New Orleans Pelicans. Favors had a career year on the glass, averaging 9.8 per game. This year, because he is playing behind Gobert, this number has dropped to 6.1 per game. On top of that O’Neale is averaging 7.5 rebounds per game.
However, it is the work on the offensive glass which is impressive. Gobert is averaging 3.4 offensive rebounds per game, Favors is averaging 2.0 and O’Neale is collecting 1.5 per night. On top of the Clarkson is collecting 1.2 per game and Conley is going at 1.0 per game.
It is going to take a committed effort by the entire team to keep the Jazz off the boards. Clint Capela is averaging 12.9 rebounds per game which is third in the NBA and John Collins is averaging 7.7 a night. Rookie Onyeke Okongwu should get his first NBA action in this game and needs to focus on rebounding the basketball above all else against the Jazz.