The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz-OKC Game 2 Preview: Can the Jazz steal home court advantage?

By John Keeffer

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 15: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz waits for Game One of the Western Conference in the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder to start at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on April 15, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 J Pat Carter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Donovan Mitchell;
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 15: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz waits for Game One of the Western Conference in the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder to start at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on April 15, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 J Pat Carter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Donovan Mitchell; /
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Make Paul George work for everything

In Game 1, the Thunder were able to get 29 three-point shot attempt, and converted on 14 of them. They are currently leading all playoff teams in three-point percentage. Paul George was the true difference maker in this game. Self proclaimed as “Playoff P” he lived up to that moniker. He went on to score 36 points and shot 8-of-11 from three point-range.

While the Thunder were getting and making these shots, not many of them were uncontested. If the Jazz can iron out some kinks and play with a higher level of intensity on that end of the floor, there is a very low chance that the Thunder shoot 48 percent from three again, which in an eight-point loss, could be the difference maker.

The flip side to this was the defense of Paul George. He completely removed Joe Ingles from the game. He would often meet him half court, and was glued to his hip. We’ll talk more on this later.

If the Jazz are going to have a chance of winning Game 2, they will have to do a better job of running Paul George off the three point line, and forcing him into mid-range jump shots or contested shots at the rim by Rudy Gobert.

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