The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Most intriguing individual matchups series – Central Division

By Jared Woodcox

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 07: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz dribbles the ball against Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers 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: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz dribbles the ball against Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers 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) /
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DONGGUAN, CHINA – SEPTEMBER 11: Rudy Gobert #27 of France goes to the basket against Myles Turner #12 of USA during FIBA World Cup 2019 quarter-final match between the United States and France at Dongguan Basketball Center on September 11, 2019 in Dongguan, Guangdong Province of China. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
DONGGUAN, CHINA – SEPTEMBER 11: Rudy Gobert #27 of France goes to the basket against Myles Turner #12 of USA during FIBA World Cup 2019 quarter-final match between the United States and France at Dongguan Basketball Center on September 11, 2019 in Dongguan, Guangdong Province of China. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images) /

Indiana Pacers: Myles Turner vs. Rudy Gobert

If Victor Oladipo were fully healthy, there’s absolutely no debating that the most intriguing matchup would be him going up against Donovan Mitchell at the shooting guard spot. As both are the top offensive options on their respective teams and the most exciting scorers on the floor, it would be riveting to watch them in action.

However, with Oladipo still recovering from a serious quad injury, he certainly won’t be in action for the first game between the Jazz and the Pacers in November, and may still be recovering for the second in January. Therefore, since it’s uncertain whether we’ll even get to see this matchup or not, let’s instead pivot to the second most exciting – Myles Turner vs. Rudy Gobert.

We got a sampling of this matchup during FIBA World Cup play and the Stifle Tower absolutely dominated Turner. Just hours removed from Myles suggesting that perhaps Gobert wasn’t fully deserving of the DPOY award, Rudy went berserk to the tune of 21 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks whereas Turner was only able to stay on the floor for 10 minutes and put up just two points and one rebound.

It was a thorough beating from Gobert which both players are certain to remember come regular season time.

Though Turner got whipped in that occasion, he’s actually a solid defender in his own right and a dangerous offensive player who is constantly improving his outside shot, something which Rudy Gobert sometimes struggles to defend. Therefore, once he’s back in his far more comfortable Indiana Pacers system (and when he has the help of Domantas Sabonis alongside him), I could see this matchup turning out much differently.

In fact, many of the battles between these two in the NBA regular season have been extremely balanced. Last season, despite Indiana punishing the Jazz in both meetings, Turner had 16 points and four rebounds compared to Gobert’s 12 points and six rebounds in one, then in the prior contest, both finished with 12 points with Gobert dominating the boards but Turning out-matching him in assists.

The year before that featured a meeting wherein Turner put up 24 points and Gobert had 23, and interestingly enough, the prior contest featured both finishing with an identical 16 points.

In other words, these two have had some fun battles over the years and, FIBA’s lopsided affair notwithstanding, that should only continue in 2019-20. Both of these players play similar roles for their respective teams as the rim protectors and last line of defense that make life easier on D for their teammates. Both are also exceptionally important on offense as well even if Turner is a better shooter and Gobert is better in the pick-and-roll.

Their unique traits are what make their individual matchup so much fun, and I expect we’ll get a show from them in both contests this upcoming season.

Scheduled Contests:

  • 11/27 Utah at Indiana
  • 1/20 Indiana at Utah
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