Game Preview: OKC Thunder look to send the Utah Jazz home singing the blues
By Alex Mcewen
Play through Steven Adams
In the first 24 games of the 2017-18 season, Steven Adams made 481 passes, resulting in 15 assists. This time around through 24 contests Adams has dished out 709 passes, accounting for 38 assists.
The video below shows an improved awareness from Adams when he has time to make decisions. He hits Jerami Grant on the cut to the hoop when the Clippers elect to double him.
Adams also has 86 potential assists, which would have counted as an assist, if the shot was made. OKC’s Kiwi Center has also created 93 points via assists, up from 38 at this point last season.
The Thunder finally taking advantage of their starting center’s passing skills could become a vital part of the offense. Especially when defenses collapse on Westbrook and PG.
Control the tempo
When Utah scores 10 or fewer fast break points, they’ve struggled to a 3-9 record this season. The Jazz sit in the bottom five in the league in fast break points (26th) averaging just 10.3 points per game and amass just 18.6 points off turnovers (26th).
Limiting Utah on the break will allow Oklahoma City to set its defense, rather than scrambling to get a stop. The Jazz rank in the bottom half of the league in pace (21st) thus keeping a lid on their fast break opportunities will be a tremendous advantage.
It will force the Jazz to run their sets and work for their points, as opposed to scoring easily on the break.
Win the turnover battle
The Thunder force the most turnovers in the NBA 17.9, coincidentally the Jazz possess the fourth highest turnover percentage at 15.6. The Jazz possess three players in Mitchell, Rubio and Joe Ingles who rank in the top-50 in turnovers game.
The Thunder on the other hand possess three players in the top-50 in steal percentage. Nerlens Noel, Westbrook, and PG13 comprise a bulk of the Thunder’s steals and will sure to be aggressive once again. Oklahoma City lead the league in points off turnovers (21.6) and sixth in fast break points (16.0) while playing with the NBA’s eighth fastest pace (102.96).
As long as both teams averages hold, Oklahoma City will have the upper hand in this evening contest and hopefully we see more of this:
The Brodie vs. Ricky Rubio
Ricky Rubio only played in three of the six games between the Thunder of Jazz in the first round due to a hamstring injury. When he was on the hardwood, he was a thorn in the Thunder and Westbrook’s side. Here is how the two players performed when guarding each other.
- Russ on Rubio: Westbrook guarded Rubio on 125 possessions. In that time RR scored 30 points, shot 3-7 42.9 percent from three, 10-25 40.0 percent overall, dished 16 assists, and committed four turnovers.
- RR on Russ: Rubio was Westbrook’s primary defender for 130 possessions. During those possessions Russ posted 28 points, on 12-33 36.7 percent shooting from the floor, matched Rubio blow-for-blow from the perimeter, registered 21 assists, and coughed the ball up seven times.
The two players essentially canceled one another out when they guarded the other. Westbrook is an All-Star and former MVP so such production is expected whereas Rubio is a coin flip. If the Spaniard gets going it could spell trouble for OKC and Utah will have a great chance of walking out of the Peake with the W.