Gameday Preview: OKC Thunder open their stretch run versus division rival the Utah Jazz

The OKC Thunder enjoyed a seven-day hiatus for the annual NBA All-Star break. Tonight, the squad begins their stretch run vs. division rival the Utah Jazz.

The OKC Thunder entered the annual All-Star break with a 37-20 record, their fourth-best record in franchise history at the break. Although, the All-Star hiatus takes place long after the halfway mark of the season, games played after the break are considered to be the second half of the season.

Before Oklahoma City kicks off their stretch run of the season, let’s look back at their first-half rankings:

• Win percentage: .649 – sixth
• Points per game: 115.4 – fifth
• 3-Point percentage: 35.2 percent – 13th
• Free Throw percentage: 71.6 percent – 27th
• Rebounds per game: 47.9 – second
• Assists per game: 23.4 – 21st
• Steals per game: 10.2 – first, the only team to average double-digit steals
• Defensive Rating: 105.2 – third
• Net Rating: plus 5.1

Transitioning to the break, the Thunder players involved in All-Star festivities, especially rookie Hamidou Diallo enjoyed a successful weekend. Diallo competed in and ultimately won the AT&T Slam Dunk contest.

While Paul George and Westbrook were participants in the actual All-Star game. They were members of Team Giannis, who fell to Team LeBron 178-164. Neither Russ, nor George posted stat-lines that jumped off the page, but it did appear both players enjoyed and appreciated their involvement in the match.

Views from Utah

After defeating the Thunder, in the 2018 NBA playoffs, expectations for the 2019 season were raised. However, to this point, the Jazz has been somewhat of a disappointment. Coming into the season many expected the Jazz to have at least one All-Star selection between Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, perhaps even both players would be Charlotte-bound.

As the season went on the Jazz were not consistent and neither player received the All-Star nod, although both players were questionable snubs. The Jazz went into the break with a 32-25 record, good for sixth in the West.

Utah’s greatest flaw is their ability or lack thereof to score. In wins, they average 116.0 points per game versus 100.5 points per match in losses. Utah’s point differential in wins vs. losses is the second largest among current West playoff squads.

When the Jazz offense is clicking, they are dangerous. In 21 games where Utah has scored 115 points or more, their record is a crisp 18-3.