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Utah Jazz vs Oklahoma City Thunder Pregame Analysis

by Alma Bean Feature Image by Scott G Winterton of Deseret News The Utah Jazz (7-15) goes on the road to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder (14-7) in this one-game road trip. What to Look For For many Utah fans, Oklahoma City is showing Utah the blueprint of what their team is trying to…

Alma Bean

December 11, 2023

2–3 minutes

Brice Sensabaugh, Chet Holmgren, Jalen William, Jaylin Williams, John Collins, Johnny Juzang, Josh Christopher, Lauri Markkanen, Luguentz Dort, Micah Potter, NBA, Oklahoma City Thunder, Ousmane Dieng, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Simone Fontecchio, Taylor Hendricks, Utah Jazz, Walker Kessler

by Alma Bean

Feature Image by Scott G Winterton of Deseret News

The Utah Jazz (7-15) goes on the road to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder (14-7) in this one-game road trip.

What to Look For

For many Utah fans, Oklahoma City is showing Utah the blueprint of what their team is trying to be in the coming years. Right now, Utah is trying to find their prime point guard which Oklahoma City has in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Currently averaging 30.5/5.6/6.2, Gilgeous-Alexander is not only top-10 in the league in scoring but has led a turnaround of this franchise. This time last year, Oklahoma City had a record of 8-13 including three losing streaks of three or four games each. Now having the top rookie’s this season Chet Holmgren bloom into his former self at Gonzaga, Oklahoma City is looking like a team that could make a run in the playoffs early.

With this game being on the road, this will prove to be an uphill battle for Utah. On top of Gilgeous-Alexander having the best field goal percentage amongst guards (54.4%), but Oklahoma City is third in the league in field goal percentage (49%) and third in team point differential (+7.2). Utah on the other hand is bottom-five in the league in both team field goal percentage (44.5%) and team point differential (-8.7).

Key of the Game

Paint presence. With Utah most likely missing their entire starting frontcourt going into this one, Utah will have to keep up with Holmgren and Jalen Williams with their bench unit starting tonight. Oklahoma City is fourth in the league in blocks per game (6.1) with Holmgren leading the team with 2.4 blocks per game. It will be interesting to see if Simone Fontecchio will get some power forward minutes as he has been working on post play this season. Utah fans will be able to see Taylor Hendricks not only get valuable minutes in a game, but also against an intriguing, young frontcourt such as Ousmane Dieng and Jaylin Williams.

Injury Report

Oklahoma City – Luguentz Dort (ankle) Out

Utah – Josh Christopher (G League) Out, John Collins (illness) Out, Johnny Juzang (G League) Out Walker Kessler (foot) Out, Lauri Markkanen (hamstring) Out, Micah Potter (G League) Out, Brice Sensabaugh (G League) Out

Where to Watch

Tip-off will be at 6:00 p.m. MST on KJZZ and Jazz+.

Author

Written by

Alma Bean

I am currently a student at the University of Utah working toward my second bachelor’s degree, this time in communication with an emphasis in journalism. I currently have a bachelor’s degree in music from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida. As I pursue a degree in communication, I dream to bring this emphasis of journalism to the world of sports. When I’m not writing, I allow my inner basketball fan to come out as I watch previous games and highlights across the NBA to become a walking, talking sports almanac.

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