The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz vs Oklahoma City Thunder: Who has the upper hand at each position?

By Tyler Thorpe

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 23: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz hug after the game on December 23, 2017 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 23: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz hug after the game on December 23, 2017 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 07: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots a free throw in the second half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 7, 2018 in Houston, Texas. 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 07: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots a free throw in the second half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 7, 2018 in Houston, Texas. 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

SG: Donovan Mitchell vs. Paul George

Unfortunately for Jazz fans, this matchup is fairly straightforward as well.

Donovan Mitchell is only the fifth rookie in NBA history to lead a playoff team in scoring after averaging 20.5 points per game this season.

Much like Rubio, I fear that the lights of the NBA playoffs may be too bright for Mitchell. We saw signs of it in Utah’s regular-season finale against Portland.

His second-half performance, however, helps to ease my concerns a bit. Mitchell led all rookies in scoring after halftime this season, averaging nearly 12 points per game in the second-half of regular season games.

Can Donovan consistently score against one of the league’s best two-way players in Paul George?

If so, Utah should handle business against the Thunder. That task, however, will be easier said than done for the former 13th overall pick.

While Mitchell’s ceiling may project to be even higher than George’s, the rookie will have to wait his turn. George is still a premier talent in this league and should give Utah problems on both ends of the floor throughout the series.

OKC’s starting backcourt takes the 2-0 sweep.

Advantage: OKC

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