Views from OKC: Keys to beating the Utah Jazz this afternoon

Views from OKC is a daily diary about the current state of the OKC Thunder. Today we’re going to preview the Utah Jazz matchup this afternoon.

Aggressive. Physical. Fast. That’s how the OKC Thunder are going to have to play this afternoon if they want to beat the Utah Jazz.

Yesterday I talked about how Oklahoma City actually played like a team in their win over the Spurs. I forgot a very crucial element in that narrative. They dominated San Antonio physically, whether that was down low on the boards or with a suffocating perimeter defense.

That’s the identity of this team. Or at least what it should be.

All season the Thunder have struggled with consistency. Luke Walton said it on Bill Simmons’ podcast earlier in the month, it is extremely difficult for a young team to find their identity and maintain it over the course of an 82-game season.

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But this isn’t an 82-game season anymore, it’s a 17-game season. The Thunder have a little over a month left to figure out themselves before the playoffs begin. OKC has the pieces for a distinct style (aggressive, physical, fast) but it’s easier said then done.

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They have to communicate more on the defensive end. They have to run set plays for players not named Russell Westbrook. Those things happened against San Antonio, but it’s a matter of maintaining it the rest of the season. Today will be a a big sign if they truly realized what they can be.

Utah knows who they are. They grind out games with the slowest pace in the league and play hard-nosed defense anchored by the Steifel Tower Rudy Gobert. Oklahoma City can’t shy away from the physicality, they have to embrace it. It’s part of the reason why they brought Taj Gibson in and moved him to the starting lineup.

The OKC Thunder have to impose their will on Utah this afternoon. And every other game for that matter. Few teams, if any, can match Gibson and Steven Adams‘ physicality down low. Westbrook and Victor Oladipo make up the most athletic backcourt in the league.

It’s up to Billy Donovan to use those attributes to the Thunder’s advantage.