The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz at Indiana Pacers: Keys to a fourth straight win

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 15: Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers fights for the ball with Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of their game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 15, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 15: Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers fights for the ball with Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of their game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 15, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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BOSTON – FEBRUARY 9: Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) and Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) celebrated after Turner got the basket and a trip to the charity stripe after he was fouled on the play during the fourth quarter. The Boston Celtics host the Indiana Pacers at TD Garden in Boston on Feb. 09, 2018. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON – FEBRUARY 9: Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) and Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) celebrated after Turner got the basket and a trip to the charity stripe after he was fouled on the play during the fourth quarter. The Boston Celtics host the Indiana Pacers at TD Garden in Boston on Feb. 09, 2018. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

Prediction – Pacers 104, Jazz 101

This game has all the appearance of being a hard-fought battle. Both teams have a lot of similarities in my mind, and just as the Jazz are fighting tooth and nail for a playoff spot, the Pacers are fighting tooth and nail for home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

I could see this one going either way, but when all is said and done, I’m worried that the Jazz won’t have quite enough to overcome a Pacers team that is on fire and plays exceptionally well at home. Utah has yet to impress me all that much since the All-Star break, and while they’ve been able to overcome their sloppy play that has included poor three-point shooting and several turnovers to beat the likes of the Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, Orlando Magic and Jimmy Butler-less Minnesota Timberwolves, I don’t know that it will be enough to beat the Pacers.

Next: Utah Jazz haven’t gotten much help from West opponents, but that may change soon

Hopefully the Jazz have their first breakout game since the All-Star break and put together a fully-executed performance that will allow them to edge out Indiana. But since they have yet to do that since returning from the break and considering how well the Pacers have played in their past three games, I’m going to give them a slight edge in this contest.

After playing in Indiana, the Jazz will round out their three-game road trip in Memphis on Friday and in New Orleans on Sunday for a Western Conference showdown against the Pelicans. Although Wednesday’s and Sunday’s contests are going to be challenging, if Utah could somehow pull them off, it would work wonders for their record in the highly contested playoff race.

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