OKC Thunder vs. Utah Jazz Game Grades
Mar 13, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) handles the ball against Utah Jazz guard Mo Williams (5) during the first half at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
The Oklahoma City Thunder made quick work of the Utah Jazz last night defeating them 110-87 at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
The Thunder jumped out to a 10-point lead after the first quarter and then outscored Utah 21-9 in the second quarter to take a 50-28 lead into the half.
The Thunder shot 53.6 percent from the field for the game while they held the Paul Millsap-less Jazz to 35.0 percent shooting.
The Thunder are off tonight before hosting the Orlando Magic Friday night.
Here are the Game Grades:
Kevin Durant – 29 minutes, 23 points, 10 rebounds, 0 assists – B
Durant didn’t have any problem putting the ball in the basket last night but passing the ball was another story. Durant didn’t record an assist for the first time all season while he turned the ball over eight times. What that says is Durant is not being assertive enough looking to score. It’s not a big deal when you blow out Utah but this was also the problem in the loss vs. the Spurs. He’s looking to get his teammates involved a little too much and he’s wasting nights where he could be dropping 40 on someone.
Russell Westbrook – 28 minutes, 19 points, 9 assists, 7 rebounds – A
This is as dominant as Westbrook can be in 28 minutes. He was efficient shooting the ball going 6-for-11 from the field but did turn the ball over five times. Flirting with a triple-double though in this amount of playing time is very impressive.
Serge Ibaka – 26 minutes, 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block – B
Ibaka’s lack of rebounds in a game like this is not a big deal. His role is contesting shots while Durant can easily help out on the defensive glass. Ibaka did get two offensive boards and 4-for-6 from the field is about what you come to expect from him as well.
Kevin Martin – 23 minutes, 15 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist – B+
It’s always nice to see Martin score in ways other than three-point shots. That’s a good litmus test for how well the Thunder are playing as a team. The second unit was great last night and Martin getting rolling was a big reason why.
Kendrick Perkins – 27 minutes, 0 points, 3 rebounds – C
Perkins did nothing on the offensive end and even turned the ball over four times but his defense on Al Jefferson saves him an F grade. Jefferson went just 4-for-13 from the field and didn’t attempt a free throw. Job well done Perk.
Thabo Sefolosha – 26 minutes, 7 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist – B
This was a solid game from Sefolosha who made 1-of-2 from distance and scored a few other ways as well. This is about what Thabo will give you on a nightly basis, but when it disappears it hurts.
Nick Collison – 19 minutes, 6 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists – A
Since James Harden is no longer around to get assists on the Thunder second unit, we’ve seen Collison start to get more. Five assists is a season-high for him and another great litmus test to gauge the Thunder bench squad. Of course, he did everything else perfectly as well including picking up three steals.
Reggie Jackson – 20 minutes, 12 points, 2 assists, 6 rebounds – A
When Jackson is hitting his shot from the outside, watch out. We already know he can get to the basket nearly at will and as his confidence rises in that perimeter jumper, it will open up everything for him. Just another great game and great work from Jackson last night and even got two of his six boards on the offensive end.
Derek Fisher – 19 minutes, 10 points, 1 assist – B+
It’s not a big deal that Fisher is playing big minutes if he is knocking down shots. He seems like he will more often than not do that at home.
Hasheem Thabeet – 15 minutes, 0 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block – C
This was not Thabeet’s best game who went 0-for-2 from the field. Usually, he does a little better in Thunder blowouts but no biggie, he still got a block.
Perry Joens, III and Ronnie Brewer each played the final five minutes of garbage time. They each scored four points.