Player grades: OKC Thunder drop Jazz via aggressive, motivated effort
A. . C. Oklahoma City Thunder. STEVEN ADAMS
Something missing from last season’s playoffs was a healthy Steven Adams. Although he’s appeared banged up at different stages this season tonight showcased the difference a healthy Adams brings to the court.
Gobert picked up his second foul at 6:15 when he grabbed Adams shorts. Makes you wonder if the officials are still calling the big man with more intensity since his comments about them (see the opening tip versus Rockets last week).
Like Westbrook Adams struggled early with his shot finding his range near the end of the first quarter. With Gobert forced to sit Quin Snyder went with Favors at center and even tried different variations, but Adams owned them for the most part.
Donovan Mitchell on how the Thunder has changed since last season: “It reminds me kind of, of Game 5 when they went on that run, but for the whole game they were like that...” pic.twitter.com/jwfD2WKiZm
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) December 11, 2018
He leveled Mitchell on one screen which resulted in Donovan’s head snapping back. It was a clean, HARD screen and left me wondering how many players curse Adams the morning after playing the Thunder for the bruises they collect thanks to the big Kiwi.
At the end of the third Adams and Gobert landing on the ground as they both had elbows locked. Adams had enough of all the “little things” Gobert does to get advantages and they tumbled to the ground. Gobert however, picked up the foul and then a tech as he left the court.
Advantage – ADAMS!