Oklahoma City Thunder vs Utah Jazz Pregame Analysis

by Alma Bean Feature Image by Marielle Scott of Deseret News The Utah Jazz (25-26) takes on the Oklahoma City Thunder (35-15) in their final meeting in Salt Lake City this season. What to Look For Coming into this game, Oklahoma City is on a three-game winning streak along with winning their previous two meetings…

by Alma Bean

Feature Image by Marielle Scott of Deseret News

The Utah Jazz (25-26) takes on the Oklahoma City Thunder (35-15) in their final meeting in Salt Lake City this season.

What to Look For

Coming into this game, Oklahoma City is on a three-game winning streak along with winning their previous two meetings against Utah. The fire power from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on offense averaging 30.5/5.0/6.5 against Utah this season, he commands the floor when the ball is in his hands. Along with Gilgeous-Alxander commanding the offense, Chet Holmgren is able to hold his ground on the defensive end averaging 3.0 blocks per game against Utah this season.

For Utah, they will need to rely on the offensive power of Lauri Markkanen and Collin Sexton. This season, Markkanen and Sexton are averaging a combined 41.0/11.2/6.4 with an AST/TO ratio of 2.1. Oklahoma City will force these two to try and create on their own, but don’t be surprised if Sexton looks to facilitate the ball more as he averaged 6.1 assists per game in the month of January. With that stat, S3exton should be looking to continue this trend with the trade deadline looming.

Key of the Game

On ball defense. Utah will need to emphasize defense more than anything for this matchup. Oklahoma City is currently top-five in field goal percentage (50.1%), points per game (120.8) and point differential (+8.0) which can be overwhelming for some. Kris Dunn and Simone Fontecchio will need to be utilized defensively if Utah wants to keep things within reach. Only thing that will spoil Utah’s on ball defense is Luguentz Dort locking in when committing to switches. Dort is arguably one of the best on ball defenders for Oklahoma City and tends to be an afterthought for scouting on offense. Throughout his career, Dort averages 15.5/4.9/1.8 but this will be his first game against Utah this season.

Injury Report

Oklahoma City – Davis Bertans (knee) Questionable, Ousmane Dieng (hip) Questionable, Isaiah Joe (chest) Out, Vasilije Micic (ankle) Questionable, Cason Wallace (shoulder) Questionable, Lindy Waters III (ankle) Questionable, Jalen Williams (ankle) Questionable, Jaylin Williams (Achillies) Questionable

Utah – Ochai Agbaji (illness) Out, Taylor Hendricks (G League) Out, Johnny Juzang (G League) Out, Micah Potter (G League) Out, Jason Preston (G League) Out, Brice Sensabaugh (G League) Out

Where to Watch

Tip-off will be at 7:00 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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