Game day preview OKC Thunder – Utah Jazz: two well balanced squads begin series

Series Schedule:

The Series will run beginning tonight, with the next game Wednesday April 18, also in OKC. Then the series will shift to Utah for games 3 and 4 on Saturday, Monday April 21 and 23 respectively.  If the series runs longer OKC would host game 5, Wednesday, April 25. Game 6 shifts to Utah Friday, April 27. And, (perish the thought) if the series goes the length OKC will host game 7 on Sunday April 29. All times after game 4 are TBA.

Predicted Line-ups

OKC Thunder Starters

Point Guard: Russell Westbrook
Shooting Guard: *Corey Brewer
Small Forward: Paul George
Power Forward: Carmelo Anthony
Center:  Steven Adams

OKC Thunder Bench

Point Guard: Raymond Felton
Shooting Guard: Terrance Ferguson,
Small Forward: Jerami Grant, Josh Huestis
Power Forward:  Patrick Patterson,
Center: Dakari Johnson, Nick Collison

Injury notes

• *Corey Brewer is listed as probable and expected to play in game 1 despite spraining his right knee in the final regular season game.
•  Alex Abrines, continues to work his way through the concussion protocol program and is listed as questionable.
• Andre Roberson, (torn patellar tendon), out for the rest of season.

Utah Jazz Starters:

Point Guard: Ricky Rubio
Shooting Guard: Donovan Mitchell 
Small Forward: Joe Ingles
Power Forward: Derrick Favors
Center: Rudy Gobert

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Utah Jazz Bench:

Point Guard: Dante Exum, Raul Neto
Shooting Guard:
Small Forward: Jae Crowder, Royce O’Neale
Power Forward: Jonas Jerebko
Center: Ekpe Udoh

Injury notes/Suspensions:

• Thabo Sefolosha had season-ending surgery to repair an MCL injury to his right knee and has been suspended for five games at the beginning of the 2018-2019 season for a violation of the NBA’s anti-drug program.

History:

In the four previous meetings this season the OKC Thunder took three. This replicates the 3-1 record OCK delivered last season. The Thunder hold the all-time record as well having bested the Jazz 106 of their 184 meetings.

Odds:

OKC is a four point favorite with an over-under of 205 points.

In terms of winning the Western Conference the Thunder’s odds are +1800 while the Jazz are slated at +2500.

Officials:

The crew for this evening is Derrick Stafford (9), David Guthrie (16), Josh Tiven (58) and the alternate is Marat Kogut (32).

Game Specifics

The Venue: Chesapeake Energy Arena

The Tip:  6:30 PM ET (5:30 CT)

TV: FS Oklahoma HD, TNT

Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC