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

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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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 07: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers holds the ball against Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 7, 2018 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.(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 07: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers holds the ball against Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 7, 2018 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.(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Indiana Pacers

11/19 in Indy, 11/26 in SLC

As a big fan of the Indiana Pacers except for when they’re playing the Utah Jazz, I’m probably a little biased on this one. But even if I wasn’t, this is still a matchup that Jazz fans should absolutely be thrilled by.

After being largely counted out heading into last season, the Indiana Pacers burst onto the scene as a legitimate force in the East thanks to the leadership and improvement of Victor Oladipo. And Indy could very well be primed for yet another leap, especially if Myles Turner can enjoy a similar breakout season and if new addition Tyreke Evans can play the way he did last year in Memphis.

As a young, exciting team that plays the game the right way, the Pacers mirror the Jazz in a lot of ways, and that should make for an intriguing matchup between two fun and up-and-coming teams who, thanks to the rise of unforeseen stars in Oladipo and Mitchell, way outplayed expectations last season and have a ton to prove in 2018-19.

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