Jazz vs Thunder Game 1: Preview and Prediction

• The Jazz and Thunder’s contrasting lineups clash in Game 1
• Is Utah rookie Donovan Mitchell ready for primetime?
• Russell Westbrook will show up – what teammate will help him lead the Thunder?

It’s by far one of the most intriguing pairings in the NBA’s First Round, and Game 1 kicks off Sunday in Oklahoma City, as the fourth-seeded Thunder (48-34, 27-14 home) host the fifth-seeded Utah Jazz (48-34, 20-21 away).

The Thunder are star powered, led by Mr. Triple-Double himself, Russell Westbrook, and a star-studded supporting cast led by Paul George, Steven Adams and Carmelo Anthony. They are, by any measure, a team to be reckoned with in the postseason.

Utah is anchored by perhaps the most dominant defensive big man in basketball in Rudy Gobert, a mish mash of good-at-everything-but-not-great-at-anything supporting players, and a budding superstar in Donovan Mitchell. They are, by any measure, a team to be reckoned with in the postseason.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo1-vD1GIxk

In any other year, this type of matchup doesn’t even materialize until the second round, or perhaps the conference championship. That’s how good these teams are, and just one exhibit of the blood bath that is the Western Conference.

Utah Jazz vs Oklahoma City Thunder Regular Season  Team Stats

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

Head-to-Head Results – Regular Season

In these regular season meetings, Russ was Russ and that was usually the difference. He averaged nearly 23 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists as the Thunder rolled to a 3-1 season series record. But you’ll need to take into account that all these games were played before Christmas.

That loss was part a swoon for the Jazz, where they lost six of seven. But from January 10th to the end of the year, Utah ripped through the league on a 32-10 run.

Notable Injuries and Absences

 Straight Up Advice: Jazz (106-103)

This may not be a popular pick, but there are few teams as hot as the Jazz right now. This is a bet on their defense being strong enough to withstand OKC’s 107-plus points per game. Utah is one of two teams in the Association to hold the opposition under 100 points a game – San Antonio is the other.

One of the Thunder’s great strengths is their offensive rebounding – they led the league at over 11 offensive boards a game. But Utah is one of the very best at limiting that number – they held teams to just eight a game all season. That lack of extra possessions is going to mean something.

Expect Westbrook to be his usual bombastic self, but Paul George will be busy chasing around Mitchell. Who else finds their offensive rhythm for the Thunder? Steven Adams will have his hands full with Gobert. Has Carmelo been waiting to break out Hoodie/Olympic ‘Melo now?

The Jazz have one of the best in-game coaching tacticians at the helm, and Quin Snyder should find his team good looks on offense, while funeling Westbrook into the shot-blocking Frenchman Gobert on defense. That will force OKC to make shots from beyond the arc, where they ranked just 24th in the regular season.

Gobert will control the paint, while Mitchell defies the supposed rookie playoff struggles. The Jazz prove they are for real with a mini-stunner in Game 1.

 Team Trends – Regular Season

Additional SU Picks (April 15th)

The NBA Playoffs are in full swing, with four series kicking off Sunday, including King James beginning his quest for an eighth straight trip to the Finals.