Thunder vs Jazz: Pregame Primer
vs.
Thunder (41-31, 14-22 road) vs. Jazz (31-41, 17-19 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 – 107.2 (11th), Jazz – 105.0 (16th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 104.1 (12th), Jazz – 105.5 (16th)
Let’s start here: Poor KD.
“Obviously it’s not the news we wanted to hear about KD, but we’ve got to be able to put it together and get things done and find a way to stay in the playoffs,” Russell Westbrook said. “Obviously it’s something as a team we don’t come into the season saying, ‘That’s what’s going to happen,’ but things happen, injuries happen. It’s a part of the game.”
And with that the attention moves to Utah (lost 5 of 6) where the Thunder play another game with so much on the line.
ATTN: Derrick Favors is OUT tonight with a back injury.
3 Big Things
1. Kanter’s Return
Welp, if you’d like a blueprint on how to burn dem’ bridges and get boo’d on every touch Enes Kanter just laid it out for you. Kanter, in a very honest way, explained why OKC has been such an amazing place for him all the while throwing darts at the organization that drafted him.
Now the mics have been put away, and Kanter gets to throw darts on the court with this play. He’ll be facing Utah’s new darling big Rudy Gobert. Gobert has blossomed into one of the best rim protectors in the league and will bring his best against his former teammate tonight.
2. Defense
Umm… play some.
3. Advantage OKC
Where the Thunder has a huge advantage tonight is in the backcourt. Russell Westbrook and Dion Waiters will face Trey Burke, Dante Exum and Elijah Millsap. This is really a game for Westbrook to get loose early and carry the team from the jump. He’s averaged double digit assists for 2 months now, and with his speed against these guards he should be able to carve up this Jazz defense and find teammates for good looks.
Wednesday’s COTN: “Who’s going to the airport???” – @KetelOne
legit LOL’d at this.
Tip at 8:00 CT. Go get em’.
