Utah Jazz at Indiana Pacers: Keys to the Game

Key Performer – Rudy Gobert

After posting an absolute monster game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, Rudy Gobert had perhaps one of his most frustrating games of the season against Chicago. Sure, he was phenomenal defensively as he always seems to be, finishing with five blocks, but he struggled immensely offensively, missing several makeable shots.

Rudy ended the night just 5-of-11 from the field, which for a guy who shoots 65.1 percent and puts up over 90 percent of his shot attempts from the restricted area, that’s pretty bad.

However, if anybody is aware that he had a bit of an off night, it’s likely Rudy himself who is always a fierce competitor that is looking to improve himself. With that being the case, I’m expecting him to bounce back in a big way tonight as he’ll seek to redeem himself against what’s been a less than formidable Pacers front line.

Gobert played incredibly well against Indiana in the prior meeting as he finished the game with 19 points on a much more characteristic 8-of-10 shooting performance. Although Indiana’s second-year center Myles Turner is developing into a fantastic all-around player, he still has some work to do defensively as he’s struggled to contain bigger opponents as he works to become the Pacers’ long-term answer as a reliable rim protector.

Turner may very well become just that and truly has both the potential and the skill set to become Indiana’s best player sooner rather than later (even if Paul George does remain on the team), but for the time being, I expect Gobert to get the best of him and come out with a strong performance tonight.