The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz seek to avoid sweep vs. OKC: Preview and live comment stream

By Jared Woodcox

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- FEBRUARY 22: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball against Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz on February 22, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- FEBRUARY 22: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball against Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz on February 22, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Utah Jazz will have their work cut out for them on Monday night against an Oklahoma City Thunder team that has had their number so far this year.

A quick perusal of the Utah Jazz’s results against the Oklahoma City Thunder this season would paint a pretty discouraging picture. OKC currently holds a commanding 3-0 lead over Utah giving off a certain feel that the Jazz just can’t quite keep pace with the star-studded duo of Paul George and Russell Westbrook.

However, a brief step back might help reignite some confidence in discouraged Jazz fans. First of all, two of the three contests came on the second nights of back-to-backs for the Jazz, giving OKC a decided advantage from the get-go. Even so, the Jazz were within single digits in the first loss and only fell by a point in the second.

In the most recent contest, the Jazz held a seven-point lead with right around two minutes left to play when dreadful turnovers sent the game into overtime, and later a second overtime, before Utah would ultimately fall yet again by one point. The Jazz shot themselves in the foot repeatedly in that contest which otherwise might have ended in their favor.

In other words, while the 3-0 deficit looks bad, each game has been about as competitive as they come. And in the level playing field of a playoff atmosphere, the Jazz may very well be able to take the cake as they did a year ago should the two teams meet in the postseason.

Nevertheless, the Jazz will still aim to avoid the regular season sweep when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night. Sure, OKC could win this one and it wouldn’t mean a whole lot come playoff time considering they already hold the tiebreaker, but there’s still something psychological that makes it important to avoid a regular season sweep.

Not only that, but in what was supposed to be the easy portion of Utah’s schedule to close out the year, they’ve fallen flat on their face so far, losing two of the first three bouts to lesser opponents in the New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies. Therefore, in order for the Jazz to get back on track and revitalize their confidence in a big way before the home stretch, this battle against OKC will be a big one.

Fortunately, both teams are coming in with an equivalent amount of rest having last played on Friday. Utah will be without Ricky Rubio, but defensive expert Dante Exum is slated to be back in action and could provide a nice boost in defending the likes of Paul George and Russell Westbrook.

Speaking of that dynamic pair, both were prolific in the most recent contest against the Jazz. George finished with 45 points including the game winner to go along with nine rebounds and seven assists. Westbrook, meanwhile, went off for 43 points on uncharacteristically efficient shooting which included notching six threes, a rarity for a player that averages only 1.5 per game on 28.1 percent shooting.

Thus, it goes without saying that the Jazz can’t afford to let either of those two go off that way again. And there’s also a healthy argument that last game’s performance was more anomaly than reality for Westbrook, which could be a good sign for Utah this time around. But even beyond OKC’s two stars, the Jazz need to be aware of OKC’s talent across the board. Each starter scored in double figures as Steven Adams, Jerami Grant and Terrance Ferguson all turned in nice performances.

With both teams coming off losses and having tangible disdain for one another, expect this to be a heated match. I truthfully think the Jazz are capable of winning and believe we’ll see them play much better than in their most recent contest. However, based on their inconsistent play of late and the fact that any time I show optimism I tend to curse the Jazz, I’m going to go ahead and give the Thunder the edge in this one.

My Prediction: Thunder 118, Jazz 115

Next. Utah Jazz: Dante Exum is officially (finally) back in effect. dark

Expect a playoff-like atmosphere in this contest as these two teams jockey for position in the crowded West. As you’re tuning into the game, be sure to join other Jazz fans in our live comment stream which will be available in the comment section below this article. Tip-off for the bout is at 7:00 PM MT.

Home/Jazz News