Utah Jazz vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: Keys to the Game

Prediction – Jazz 109, Thunder 102

I have to admit, I’m a bit torn on this one. Having George Hill back should provide the Jazz with a huge lift against Westbrook compared to the last time these two teams played. However, given the fact that Westbrook will have a lot to prove following his All-Star snub, I’m a little worried about how he’ll play with that kind of chip on his shoulder.

Not to mention, the Thunder are benefiting from four days of rest while the Jazz play their third game in four days, so fatigue could play a key role. Westbrook is hard enough to stop under normal circumstances, let alone when he’s fresh.

Nevertheless, with the Jazz owning home court advantage in this contest and due to the fact that truthfully the Jazz are well-suited to stop a team that puts so much reliance on one player, I’m going to give them the edge in this one, albeit in a much closer bout than last time.

The thing about the Thunder is that while they have a few talented players throughout the roster, for the most part there’s not many guys who can hurt you outside of Westbrook. Simply put, their enormous reliance on one guy isn’t that great of a recipe for success and if Utah can just slow him down, I’m confident that the rest of our guys will be able to outmatch the remainder of the Thunder’s roster.

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So I’m feeling good about Utah’s chances of making it seven straight games by coming away with a big win over the Thunder. The Los Angeles Clippers, who the Jazz are currently tied with for fourth place, play earlier that same night on the road against a tough Atlanta Hawks team. Thus the situation exists that if the Clippers lose and the Jazz win, Utah will take sole possession of fourth.

It’d be an incredible feat to notch a win against a fellow playoff opponent in what could potentially be a first-round preview while grabbing that all-important fourth seed as we near the All-Star Break. As long as George Hill and the Jazz can take care of Westbrook, I’m more than confident that such will be the case.

All stats courtesy of NBA.com