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Utah Jazz Week Six Outlook: Can Utah turn the corner?

By Jared Woodcox

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 17: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz talks with head coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter of the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on November 17, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 17: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz talks with head coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter of the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on November 17, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – NOVEMBER 09: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers in action against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena on November 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. 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 Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – NOVEMBER 09: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers in action against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena on November 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. 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 Reaves/Getty Images) /

11/19 Utah at Indiana

5:00 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/League Pass

Opponent record: 10-6

Season series: Tied 0-0

Heading into last season, the Indiana Pacers were pinned by many as a team that was destined for a high lottery pick. Fresh off the trade that shipped Paul George to the Oklahoma City Thunder, no one seemed to have high hopes for the new-look squad that acquired Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis.

Boy, were they wrong.

The Pacers ended up being one of the East’s biggest surprises and best teams as they finished with the fifth seed and came as close as anybody in the East to toppling the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs. Oladipo won the Most Improved Player Award and instantly reinserted the Pacers into relevancy.

This year, they’re not flying under anybody’s radar, but they’ve still gotten off to a great start and look like one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference once again. Sitting at 10-6, Indiana is at third in the East ahead of the likes of Philadelphia and Boston. Time will tell if they can maintain that spot, but if there’s anything they’ve proven the past couple years, it’s that they can’t be overlooked.

I’ve long thought that the Jazz and Pacers have a lot of similarities in their respective conferences and that the two teams are very evenly matched. Last season, the two teams split the season series, with the away team winning each game. Furthermore, the following came as somewhat of a surprise to me, but further proves my point – in 86 regular season games played against one another, the Jazz and Pacers are knotted at a record of 43-43. I’d say evenly matched is a great assessment.

In terms of Monday’s bout, though, it’s possible that the Jazz may find themselves with a huge edge. Victor Oladipo was questionable prior to Indiana’s game on Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks with a sore knee, and ultimately left the contest less than five minutes in. If he’s unable to go on Monday, the Jazz will have a huge advantage.

Sure, the Pacers won that game on Saturday thanks to the surprise heroics of rookie Aaron Holiday and they found a way to win their prior game against the Miami Heat despite Victor’s struggles, but neither the Hawks nor the Heat can compare to the talent level of the Jazz. Last season, the Pacers failed to win a game in which Oladipo sat, adding further credence to just how vital he is to their team.

If Oladipo plays, then I think the Pacers, who have been tough on both ends of the floor all year and boast a daunting bench, will find a way to topple the Jazz on the final game of their long road trip. However, if he’s out of action, then I think the Jazz will be able to outmatch them.

Not knowing the status of injured players makes these predictions so dang tough. But considering that he’s so fresh off the injury and actually left a game he was questionable for, I have a feeling the Pacers are going to be a little bit more cautious this time around hold Oladipo out of action, resulting in a still challenging, but manageable win for the Utah Jazz.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 102, Indiana 97

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