Prediction – Thunder 105, Jazz 101
If I was uncomfortable with my prediction for the match-up between the Rockets and Jazz in which I did end up correctly selected Utah, I’m even more nervous for this one. Utah has all the tools to beat this Thunder team and barring another mind-blowing three-point barrage, should have a very good chance to do so.
Not to mention, the Jazz are coming off a statement win over the Rockets for their first win over a Western Conference playoff team since December 18th, so one would suppose that their confidence ought to be sky high.
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Nevertheless, I believe that Utah matches up quite well against Houston and so far in contests against OKC, that just hasn’t seemed to be the case. The outcome of this game more than likely depends on the kind of game Russell Westbrook has and, unfortunately, in both recent contests Utah’s point guards have put up little resistance.
Therefore, given the Jazz’s struggles against Russell Westbrook and the Thunder this season and, until last Wednesday, with elite teams in general, it’s with much hesitance that I’m going to pin OKC as four-point winners, just like I originally did in my week preview piece from Monday.
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Of each of these keys that I’ve mentioned, the status of Hill and the resulting performance of Exum may very well be the most deciding. It will be absolutely critical for Utah to slow Westbrook down if they hope to have any chance of rising victorious.
I wouldn’t be shocked to see them do it given that they have once already this year, but it’s going to take a major upgrade from what we’ve seen in the last two outings. Therefore, while this one could truly go either way and I certainly hope my prediction turns out wrong, I feel justified in predicting that the Thunder will pull off yet another victory over the Jazz, winning the regular season series 3-1.
All stats courtesy of NBA.com