OKC Thunder: 5 Deciding factors to win series versus Jazz

Turnovers/Fast Break Points

The Jazz 96.0 defensive rating since the all-star break is the best in the league. It will be tough for the Thunder to score easy buckets in the half-court. One way the OKC Thunder will be able to score with more ease is off turnovers and on the fast break.

The OKC Thunder should have their opportunities to score in transition. The Jazz have a 15.0 turnover percentage, which ranks 24th in the NBA. In other words, the Jazz turn the ball over on 15 perent of their possessions.

The Thunder will need to get out on the break and take advantage of the Jazz mistakes. Oklahoma City scores 17.3 percent of it’s points off turnovers, the highest of any team.  Despite a higher turnover rate, Utah only allows 9.5 fast break points, the fewest in the league.

In the four regular season meetings, the Jazz turned the ball over 16 times on average. The Thunder should have their opportunities to scores points, in transition. The key will be if OKC can  make the most of the opportuntiies.