The OKC Thunder open up the playoffs against a tough Utah Jazz team. Here are five factors that will decide this series.
If it feels like the Utah Jazz and the OKC Thunder haven’t played in a while, it’s because they haven’t. All four regular season matchups were completed by December 23rd. While the OKC Thunder should have confidence knowing they won three of the four matchups, the two teams were much different in the early part of the season than they are now. Jazz star center Rudy Robert missed two games. The Thunder still had Andre Roberson. The Jazz hand’t traded for Jae Crowder yet.
The point is, there isn’t much to take away from the regular season that can be applied in the playoffs. The Jazz enter the playoffs winning 29 of its final 35 games. This Utah team is gritty, confident, and well-coached.
Here are five factors that will decide this series for the Thunder.