NBA Playoffs: Six X-factors for the Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz

NBA Playoffs: Six X-factors for Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 08: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz fouls Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 08, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, NBA playoffs (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /

Joe Ingles

Joe Ingles has been thrust back into the starting lineup with Bojan Bogdanovic away from the team and he will have to recreate his role from last year to give this team a chance.

Ingles was a double-digit scorer the last two seasons in Utah as a starter. As the team acquired more talent he became an overqualified sixth man for this team. In the bubble, he has averaged 10.4 points on 41.9 percent from long range.

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Floor spacing for this team is essential given the nature of their team. Opening up the lane for Conley and Mitchell to cut and dish the ball will make their offense function. He is a pest on the defensive end of the floor and will do whatever he can to get under the skin of the Nuggets. Any loose ball he will be on the floor for. The hustle plays that do not show up in the box score but win you games is what this team looks to Ingles for.

All cliches aside, Ingles has been an important factor any time the Jazz have been successful over the last few years. He defines what an x-factor is. There is a world where he goes off for five made threes and gets a key steal at the end to steal a game. If that happens in enough games the Jazz may be able to the series.