The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz: Top six matchups to look forward to in 2018-19

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 17: Rudy Gobert #27 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz high-five after the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 17, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 17: Rudy Gobert #27 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz high-five after the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 17, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 20: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers hugs Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz after the game at the Wells Fargo Center on November 20, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Jazz 107-86. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 20: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers hugs Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz after the game at the Wells Fargo Center on November 20, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Jazz 107-86. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Philadelphia 76ers

11/16 in Philly, 12/27 in SLC

This one should come as little surprise. After Ben Simmons edged out Donovan Mitchell for the Rookie of the Year Award last season, the two are going to be under a microscope when they go head-to-head. The constant debates between fanbases of which player is better and was more deserving of the ROY sparked quite a rivalry between Jazz and Sixers fans this past season, and that’s certain to carry over to this upcoming year.

Not only that, but if Joel Embiid ever decides to suit up against Rudy Gobert and the Jazz, that’s bound to be a dogfight as well. Both those individual matchups will make for excellent contests that I simply can’t wait to see.

Outside of the stars, both Utah and Philadelphia are in similar situations in their respective conferences. They’re largely dominated by young players, they’re on the rise and they’re both dark horse contenders for finishing among the elite in the league if they can break out this upcoming season.

With so many exciting narratives and rivalries brewing between these two squads, I can hardly wait to see them take the floor against one another this year.

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