The J-Notes
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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 18 – Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder talks to the media after Game Two of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz 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 – Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder talks to the media after Game Two of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz 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) /

OKC’s stars shut down in the fourth

When the Thunder went on a 19-0 run during the third quarter, it looked like the Jazz were in deep trouble. However, everything shifted in the fourth and final period of play. Not only did Donovan Mitchell explode for 13 points in the quarter to will Utah to victory, but as a team, the Jazz outscored Oklahoma City by a count of 28-16.

What made that possible? The Jazz put the clamps on the less-than-clutch Thunder, who saw their big three of Russ, PG and Melo go 0-of-14 in the fourth quarter. Ouch.

Not only that, but Rudy Gobert managed to draw a sixth foul on Steven Adams (who I consider more of a star than Melo at this point, for what it’s worth) to force him to leave the game down the stretch. I guess I have to agree with Nick Wright in the video below when he said that Mitchell was the best player on the court:

However, Mitchell was far from the only one that led to the shutting down of OKC’s stars. As Quin Snyder and the rest of this Jazz squad harped on all night following the game, this victory was taken due to the strength of the team, not any one individual. Utah used a combined effort to take down the Thunder and earn a split in the series record.

If that team mentality continues as strong as it did in Game 2 and if Utah’s defense can continue to be such an unyielding force, the Thunder may find themselves without the will to defeat a daunting Jazz team.

Next: Utah Jazz: Derrick Favors proves yet again just how invaluable he is

So the Jazz certainly have some areas that they can patch up heading into Game 3 as the series swings to Salt Lake City. However, the things that they did well are more then reassuring and the fixes they need to make are certainly doable.

With all that adding up and with home court advantage now in their favor, I’d say the Jazz’s chances of a second straight trip to the Western Conference Semifinals are looking about as strong as ever.

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