Thunder vs Jazz: Pregame Primer

Ryan Woods -

vs.

Thunder (3-8, 1-5 road) vs. Jazz (4-7, 2-2 home)

TV: FS Oklahoma
Stream:  Click here
Radio:  WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 1300 AM The Buzz Tulsa)
Time: 8:00 CT

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 98.3 (28th), Jazz – 108.1 (9th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 103.1 (10th), Jazz – 114.0 (29th)

Oklahoma City heads west to face the 4-7 Jazz tonight. The Thunder took another loss on Sunday night, this one to the Houston Rockets in one of the ugliest NBA games you’ll see all season long.

For the Jazz, and first-year coach Quinn Snyder it’s about a balanced offensive attack led by shooting guard Gordon Hayward, with averages of 19.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.8 apg. The Jazz has three other players averaging double-figures in Enes Kanter (12.6), Derrick Favors (16.9) and Alec Burks (13.5).

The Thunder has been playing some exceptional defense in recent games, but the inability to score has cost this team wins that it desperately needs. The Jazz don’t provide strong resistance allowing 102.8 points per contest. This is the game Reggie Jackson has to get going early which will open things up for outside shooting from Lamb, Morrow and Ibaka.

This is another game where rebounding could be the deciding factor. The Thunder ranks 6th in rebounding at just over 43 a game while Utah averages 39 which ranks right around the middle of the pack. Adams and Ibaka have an opportunity to control the game on both ends by cleaning up the glass and getting extra looks for Oklahoma City.

Sunday’s COTN: “We are rotating our players every 4-6 weeks to keep them healthy for the playoffs” – @Durants Shimmy (Our first 2-time winner)

Honorable Mention: “Thanks, Ryan Woods!  We do appreciate you.  And I’m not just saying that to get COTN recognition. ;)” @ThunderChick2010

SPEEEEEEEEECH.

3 Big Things

1. Defense. If the defense from the interior shows up like it did against Houston this team can get this game, and if you hadn’t noticed… it needs it.

2. Adams. This feels like the night he breaks out (I’m knocking on all the wood). He has a great matchup tonight against Kanter and Gobert, who he played well against last season. #ActivateFunaki

3. Morrow. A lot of his production will be based on Reggie getting loose early. He’s got to get open looks from the three-point line, it could be the difference tonight.

Tip at 8:00 CT. Go win. Please.