Warriors vs Jazz: 5 Keys To The Series

Apr 24, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Kevin Durant (35) look on from the court in the first half of game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Kevin Durant (35) look on from the court in the first half of game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 15, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (left) is mobbed by teammates after scoring the winning basket with no time remaining in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the LA Clippers at Staples Center. The Jazz won 97-95. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (left) is mobbed by teammates after scoring the winning basket with no time remaining in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the LA Clippers at Staples Center. The Jazz won 97-95. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Bench Play

The Golden State Warriors have the edge going up against just about every team in the NBA because their starting 5 is extremely potent. Their star power just simply can’t be matched. The bench, however, is a whole different story.

There is a massive drop off in production when the starters hit the sidelines and the bench players come in. The Warriors have a hard time getting just 10 points out of any of their bench players. Andre Iguodala is good, but he’s more of a playmaker and not a scorer, David West can’t fill up the scoreboard like he used to and JaVale McGee gives them a great defensive presence but not much offensively.

The Jazz, on the other hand, have plenty of options – Joe Johnson, Derrick Favors and Rodney Hood can flat out score the ball. The Warriors have the edge in this series because they are the better, but the Jazz boast a very good starting 5.

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If the Warriors can’t get decent production from their bench, then the Jazz have a chance to make things a lot more interesting.