Utah Jazz Look to Extend Win Streak as Pacers Come to Delta Center
The Utah Jazz are riding high after a convincing 113-99 win over the Orlando Magic, but with the February 6 trade deadline looming, it’s been a busy few days for the team. Now, head coach Will Hardy and his squad will shift their focus to extending their win streak when the Indiana Pacers visit the Delta Center on Monday night.
The Jazz’s victory over Orlando was fueled by a stifling defense that forced the Magic into tough perimeter shots, limiting their field goal percentage to just 33%, including a mere 22% from beyond the arc.
Utah’s defense was key to containing Orlando, but Monday’s challenge will be much greater as they face an Indiana team that has been on fire in 2025, posting an 11-2 record.
The Pacers (27-20) have been dominant on both ends of the floor since the start of the year, but it’s their offense that has been the driving force behind their success.
Ranking ninth in offensive rating (second since Jan. 1), Indiana has relied heavily on the dynamic playmaking of Tyrese Haliburton and All-Star Pascal Siakam. This matchup will mark the first meeting between the two teams this season, with last year’s season series being split.
Here are three keys to watch for in Monday’s matchup:
1. Limit Turnovers
Indiana’s success this season has been partly due to their ability to protect the ball. With the league’s seventh-lowest turnover percentage (13.5%) and the best mark since January 1 (11.7%), the Pacers limit opportunities for their opponents. The Jazz will need to avoid turnovers to stay competitive and limit Indiana’s chances in transition. Utah has improved its turnover rate in 2025 (15.7%), but they still need to tighten things up to avoid giving Indiana easy scoring chances.
2. Attack the Offensive Glass
Offensive rebounding has been a point of concern for the Jazz in the new year, as they’ve dropped to 12th in offensive rebound percentage since January 1. Several injuries have impacted their frontcourt depth, but Utah will need to focus on generating second-chance opportunities against a Pacers team that ranks 29th in offensive rebound percentage.
Indiana has been solid defensively on the glass, but the Jazz must capitalize on their offensive boards to counter the Pacers’ high-powered offense.
3. Defend the Mid-Range Game
Indiana’s offense presents a unique challenge with its reliance on mid-range shooting. The Pacers rank third in the league in mid-range shot attempts (34.9%) and have been highly efficient, hitting 46.7% of those shots. Utah’s defense has generally focused on limiting attempts at the rim, but that has allowed opponents to find success in the mid-range.
The Jazz will need to make adjustments and tighten up their defense in that area to slow down the Pacers’ offensive attack.
As the Jazz look to build on their momentum, Monday night’s game against the Pacers will be a tough test. If Utah can execute on both ends of the floor and find ways to neutralize Indiana’s strengths, they’ll be in a good position to make it two wins in a row.
