3 takeaways from Utah Jazz win over Oklahoma City Thunder

Utah Jazz vs Oklahoma City Thunder Takeaway #2: Donovan Mitchell is a combo guard

No Mike Conley? No problem, said Donovan Mitchell.

That’s not to say that Mitchell doesn’t prefer to suit up with his backcourt make. Surely, he does. Conley’s elite floor-spacing and high IQ decision making makes the game easier for Mitchell.

When he is forced to miss a game, Mitchell is more than capable of making up the difference.

Last night, Spida put that principle into complete practice. He finished this contest with 24 points to go with 10 assists and only 2 turnovers.

Mitchell has the passing vision of a floor general. He doesn’t always use it, because he’s even more gifted at scoring. In Conley’s absence, he decided to shift his offensive profile. That decision paid dividends for the Utah Jazz.

The team’s offense hummed. The Jazz went 23/52 from three-point range, good for 44.2% accuracy on high volume. There are good reasons that this Jazz offense is the most efficient in the NBA. Donovan Mitchell’s ability to draw defensive attention is one of the biggest.

In fact, it’s hard not to speculate as to whether the Jazz may benefit from his choosing this style of play longterm. Had Conley been in the lineup, there’s a pretty good chance that, had Mitchell ran the offense, he could have buried his triples at an efficient rate as well. With Mitchell driving and dishing, everyone was open.

Whether Quin Snyder looks to make a strategic shift, or sees Mitchell’s playmaking as a temporary measure, is to be determined. One thing remains certain: Mitchell’s offensive dynamism will continue to anchor this Utah Jazz attack.

As long as he resides in Salt Lake City, his presence gives this team a chance no matter what position he’s playing.