Thunder return from break against Jazz
Game Info: OKC (44-10) @ UTA (13-41)
Tip-off: 8:30 PM | Broadcast: Local/League Pass
3⚡Big⚡Things⚡
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⚡Eye on the Finals
The Thunder emerge from the All-Star break head and shoulders above most of the league's other teams by the metrics, and nearly locked in as the Western #1 seed (Oklahoma City is up 8 games on #2 seed Denver, with just 28 to go). Overall home court advantage is still a live contest, though, with OKC getting the chance to edge ahead of Cleveland by a half-game by beating Utah tonight.
⚡Full Strength
After a long, patchwork half season+ of injuries up and down the roster, only* Nikola Topic and Ajay Mitchell are out tonight. The Thunder move forward (knock on wood) as fully constructed this offseason**. I'd imagine we'll continue to see conservative approach to injuries and absences from OKC the rest of the way, with quick hooks and ample rest for even minor injuries. But I, for one, am excited to despair and/or hyperventilate over dangerously small 5-man lineup samples that no longer have a Chet-sized hole in them.
*Chet has yet to play through back-to-backs, but is not on a minutes restriction when he does suit up.
**Mitchell earned a rotation spot, but OKC wasn't counting on him entering the season on his since-converted two-way contract.
⚡SGA Night⚡Chet Night⚡Flagler Night
If watching a late Friday Thunder game against a woeful Jazz team doesn't excite you, remember that the first 2 or 3 quarters might be all the commitment it takes to watch the self-represented MVP and NBA's Jason Voorhees Star wreak havoc before tossing the keys to Adam I Can't Feel My Face Flagler.