The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz vs. Indiana Pacers: Keys to getting the W at home

By Jared Woodcox

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 12: Lance Stephenson #1 and Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers jump and celebrate after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 12, 2018 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 12: Lance Stephenson #1 and Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers jump and celebrate after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 12, 2018 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 12: Lance Stephenson #1 and Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers jump and celebrate after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 12, 2018 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 12: Lance Stephenson #1 and Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers jump and celebrate after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 12, 2018 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Utah Jazz will likely be in for a challenging and entertaining game as they host the Indiana Pacers tonight at Vivint Smart Home Arena.

Home sweet home. It’s got to feel good for the Utah Jazz to finally set foot back within Vivint Smart Home Arena after being out on a four-game road trip that was less than friendly to them as they went just 1-3. The Jazz’s road woes continue to be one of their biggest weaknesses as they’ve dropped to 4-18 in such games.

The Jazz were supposed to start turning things around this month after a tough December, but the way January has started with a brutal road slate has been far from ideal. They’re a much better 13-7 at home, but they haven’t been without their problems there either. Utah’s most recent contest at home featured a lackluster second half in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, so even playing within the friendly confines of The Viv is far from a guaranteed W.

https://twitter.com/utahjazz/status/952948200175910912

Therefore, the Jazz will have to absolutely be at their best if they hope to come away with a win tonight against an exhilarating Indiana Pacers team. I thought my J-Notes colleague Hayden Van de Maat hit the nail on the head in a piece from this morning as he described the Pacers as one of the most enjoyable teams to watch in the league.

Their team-first focus led by entertaining and effective players such as Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner (who is out for tonight’s contest), Lance Stephenson and others has made them an exciting and successful squad as they look poised to nab a playoff spot in the East, which many presumed would in no way be the case heading into this season.

So the Jazz will have their work cut out for them against a surging Pacers team that is coming off a blowout win last night in Phoenix and has been a difficult opponent for even the elite teams to handle (just ask the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are 0-3 against Indy). Particularly with the likes of Rudy Gobert, Thabo Sefolosha and Dante Exum all out of commission, Utah will have to excel in the following areas if they’re to have any chance of coming away with a win.

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