For these playoff previews we are going to take a look at each team individually, and then we are going to look at the match-up.

Utah Jazz

Strengths

What the Jazz do well.

• Pick and Roll
• Offensive execution
• Assist Rate (#1 in the NBA)
• Rebounding
• Getting to the line

Weaknesses

Some problems the Jazz struggle with

• Getting their shots blocked
• Free Throw Shooting

Tendencies

Some things you are going to notice when watching the Jazz play.

• The Utah Jazz are really good running their halfcourt stuff.  Especially the pick and roll.  You have a tremendous passer/scorer in Deron and a terrific finisher in Carlos Boozer.

Key Set

• The Pick & Roll

When you think of the Jazz, you think of the pick and roll.  Like I have said earlier, you have a point guard who is a shooting threat and a threat to attack the basket and a screener who can catch and finish.  When it is run correctly it is impossible to defend, and Sloan has his guys run this correctly.

Denver Nuggets

Strengths

What the Nuggets do well

• One of the best offensive teams in the league
• Good three point shooting team
• Physical
• Getting to the line

Weaknesses

Some problems the Nuggets struggle with

• Defense (now the numbers say they are a middle of the road defensive team, but since George Karl has been gone, they have really dropped off in my opinion)
• Shot selections
• Offense tends to stall once in a while

Tendencies

Some things you are going to notice when watching the Nuggets play.

• At the start of the game, they really like to get Nene going.  They will almost force it into him so he can get some touches.
• Not afraid to shoot threes in transition as both Chauncey Billups and J.R. Smith tend to do it.
• Like to post up Carmelo

Key Set

• Carmelo post up

I really like the idea of posting up your best player, because you are forcing teams to double (if they choose to do so) a tough part of the court where they make rotations harder.  The Nuggets love to work Carmelo in the post, for good reason.  In my opinion, Carmelo has the best back to the basket game for anyone not a big man (PFs and Centers).  He is so strong and so quick that you can’t really keep him from getting to his spot and doing whatever he wants to do there.  You know he is going to give you that spin move, but you just can’t stop it.  Also, if you choose to overplay the post before he gets the ball, the Nuggets’ big men are good enough at passing where Carmelo will just spin backdoor and catch the lob.  Look for that once or twice a game too.

Key Matchup

Deron Williams vs. Chauncey Billups

You have two of the best point guards in the game going at each other here.  The key here is going to be Chauncey and his ability to get through screens.  If he can quickly get through screens, the Nuggets’ big men won’t need to hedge out that much.  If they don’t hedge out, Boozer won’t be open on the roll.

My Prediction

Jazz In 7

This is going to be the closest playoff series out of all of them in my opinion.  You got two really good teams going at it.  In the end, I just think without George Karl, the Nuggets aren’t going to be able to defend as good as they should, and that will be the series.