The Thunder came into this game winning the last 7 of 9 games this month. With OKC in a groove during this month they were able to get Steven Adams back from his concussion absence. Right away the Thunder wanted to set the tone in this game as Russell Westbrook went 6-6 from the field with 14 points in the 1st quarter. Westbrook set the tone for the whole team and the whole game as the Thunder flourished on both ends of the floor. The Utah Jazz played without Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert but the way OKC was clicking tonight as a whole it didn’t matter who you put in front of them. The defense from the Thunder was swarming and when they play like this as a whole holding Utah to 35.6% shooting from the field the skys the limit for this team.
The Thunder have showed that they’re getting their rythym as a full unit and they’re playing with a lot more fun now a days. This team has been clicking and gelling at the right time and it’s working. Each night with the Thunder you don’t know who will be the player that will go off from the Big 3 and tonight it was Westbrook. This team has showed that with defense and sacrifice anything is possible especially with this unit. Paul George and Carmelo Anthony got it going after the half as they both combined for 36 points. Paul George had what would be the play of the night when he crossed up Rodney Hood and finished at the rim on Derrick Favors. Russell Westbrook finished the game with 24 points, 7 assists, and 10 rebounds as the Utah Jazz had no answer for him or the Big 3 tonight. Westbrook showed leadership on both ends of the floor and put OKC in a great position to win from the jump.
The Utah Jazz couldn’t stop the Thunder especially on the fast break and in the paint. Russell Westbrook was pushing the tempo and setting up his teammates all night. The bright spot for the Utah Jazz was that Rodney Hood with his 17 points and Thabo Seolosha got his game going also as he had 12 points tonight. Utah put up a fight and tried to hang in there without two of their star players but it just wasn’t enough. OKC dunked on Utah about 7 times without Rudy Gobert in the lineup and the interior defense was not there at all. Overall it was one of those games that Utah would like to forget as OKC was able to do as they wanted inside and out. The Thunder reserves were able to add 30 points off the bench and helped secure the win. Jerami Grant led the way with 11 points off the bench and was giving it everything he has on both ends of the floor. Grant had at least three dunks in the game that would be in the NBA Dunk Contest and I think its time for the NBA to give him that call. The Thunder team used this game to grow and it showed on the floor as they played together as a group and everyone had a chance to contribute.
The Thunder play the Atlanta Hawks on Friday in Oklahoma City as they want to keep the momentum going and continue to grow as a whole.
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