Thunder vs Jazz: Pregame Primer

Ryan Woods -

vs.

Jazz (5-10, 2-6) vs. Thunder (3-12, 2-5 home)

TV: FS Oklahoma
Stream:  Click here
Radio:  WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 1300 AM The Buzz Tulsa)
Time: 7:00 CT

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 98.4 (29th), Jazz – 106.5 (17th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 104.3 (10th), Jazz – 111.5 (28th)

These two teams meet again for the second time in eight days. Last Tuesday night the Jazz put the clamps on the Thunder’s offense in the third quarter and cruised to an easy win in front of its home crowd. Tonight the Thunder, and the Peake, is as desperate as ever for a win, as they look to snap a six-game losing streak that started back on November 14.

In the win over Oklahoma City last week, Alec Burks scored 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead the Jazz while Jeremy Lamb led the Thunder with 19. Every starter for Utah posted double-figures as the Thunder’s starters combined to shoot 19-60 from the field in the 98-81 loss.

The Jazz come in having lost its last three games, and will be without rookie Rodney Hood who’s out indefinitely with plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

3 Big Things.

1. Backcourt. Reggie Jackson was held to just 10 points on 4-13 shooting against the Jazz last game, as Trey Burke and Alec Burks combined for 37 points and 12 assists. Roberson didn’t play in the last meeting with Utah so keep an eye on the affect he has on Burks as well as Gordon Hayward.

2. Starting Lineup. He’s been a really active player and has competed admirably, but these Lance Thomas minutes have got to start going elsewhere. Utah essentially starts two PG’s in Alec and Trey, which puts Robes on one of them, and Thomas — a true PF — on Gordon Hayward. This is a perfect matchup to slide Morrow into the starting unit and run with Jackson-Morrow-Robes-Ibaka-Adams.

3. S3RG3? Ibaka leads Oklahoma City with 62 3pt attempts, 23 3pt makes which is good enough for 37% from beyond the arc — also a team best. We knew Serge was trying to expand his range last season as he started taking quite a few threes from the corners as the year went on, but with Durant and Westbrook out Ibaka’s threes are coming from where he can get enough space to let the thing fly. I’m curious to see what the return of Westbrook and Durant does to Ibaka’s average shot distance (currently around 16 1/2 feet from the basket), and how much freedom he has to keep pulling the trigger from deep.

Sunday’s COTN: “We’ve had chicken something else all season” – @KetelOne

If anyone deserves an extra helping of turkey it’s DT Commenters — have a happy Thanksgiving, y’all.

Tip at 7:00 CT. Go revenge game.