Utah Jazz: 3 keys to securing a playoff spot

No. 3: Lifting offensive production

The first key when it comes to the Jazz continuing to improve and head into postseason action is lifting their production on the offensive end of the floor.

Utah is already one of the top defensive teams in the entire NBA, sitting in the top five in the league in numerous categories, but the Jazz have had to rely on that stellar defense to get them through some games throughout the course of the regular season when their offense appeared below par.

On the defensive side of the ball so far in 2018-19, Utah has ranked fourth in defensive rating (105.8), fourth in opponents points per game (106.7), tied for sixth in blocks (5.6) and tied for 11th in opponent field goal percentage (45.6 percent), according to NBA.com.

Offensively, things haven’t been the same for the Jazz, who have been somewhat at the lower end of the middle of the pack when it comes to offensive stats and production.

The Jazz rank 15th in field goal percentage (46.2 percent), 18th in offensive rating (108.9), 20th in points per game (109.2) and tied for 20th in 3-point percentage (34.8 percent).

In the playoffs, it will be key if Utah can continue to focus on lifting that offensive production and inch it closer to the type of play its been able to get out of its defense this year.

If the Jazz are able to do that, they could have the ability to make some noise in the postseason in April.