The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz: What went right/wrong in Game 2 vs. OKC

By Jared Woodcox

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 18 - Donovan Mitchell #45 and Ricky Rubio #3 of the Utah Jazz exchange a hug after Game Two of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 18 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Sr./NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 18 - Donovan Mitchell #45 and Ricky Rubio #3 of the Utah Jazz exchange a hug after Game Two of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 18 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Sr./NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 15: Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz goes to the basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game One of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 15, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 15: Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz goes to the basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game One of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 15, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

What went right?

Utah dominated the boards

There were, of course, a number of individual performances that were absolutely spectacular in Utah’s big-time Game 2 win. Donovan Mitchell‘s 13-point fourth quarter, Derrick Favors’ monster 20-16 night and Rudy Gobert‘s staunch defense are just a few.

However, rather than delve back into those which have been covered in detail by my J-Notes colleagues Ryan Aston and Tyler Crandall, I instead want to focus on a trio of things that Utah did spectacularly as a team, beginning with their colossal effort on the boards.

After narrowly losing the rebounding battle in Game 1 and giving up far too many second chance points to the Thunder, the Jazz tightened up significantly in that regard to absolutely dominate OKC on the glass. Utah finished with 65 rebounds to OKC’s 54, which included 15 offensive boards to OKC’s 10.

This rebounding edge not only gave Utah extra possessions and great second chance opportunities (the Jazz finished with 20 second chance points compared to OKC’s nine), but it also helped solve what were a pair of problems for the Jazz in Game 1. They dramatically reduced OKC’s second chance points while eliminating many of the Thunder transition opportunities of off missed shots that were so deadly in the previous contest.

Steven Adams and Russell Westbrook can both be a load on the boards, but if Utah continues to punish them on the glass as they did in Game 2, it could help keep momentum securely in their favor for Games 3 and 4 of the series.

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