Gameday Preview: OKC Thunder open their stretch run versus division rival the Utah Jazz
By Alex Mcewen
Super-Starters
Statistically speaking, the Thunder’s starting lineup is the best lineup in the entire NBA. The five-man lineup has scored 1513 points, pulled down 619 rebounds, dished 339 assists, grabbed 134 steals and posted a plus +171 plus/minus. All of the above numbers are first in each statistical category among five-man lineups.
Oklahoma City’s starters are the only five-man lineup in the NBA to eclipse a plus 100 or better plus/minus. As the playoffs approach, coaches shrink their rotation. Given OKC has one of the best lineups in the entire league, things should bode well for them when the postseason arrives.
The Gobert effect
Rudy Gobert averages 2.1 blocks per game, trailing only Myles Turner and Anthony Davis for the most in the association. Gobert’s shot-blocking prowess extends far beyond the blocks that are actually recorded. Much like when Serge Ibaka roamed the paint in Oklahoma City, the shots Gobert alters and or opposing offensive players hesitate to take are equally as valuable as literal rejections.
The NBA league average for points in the paint is 47.0, the Jazz allows 46.7 paint points per match, the sixth fewest in the NBA. Utah has limited their opponent to 40 or fewer paint points on 17 occasions this season. In such games, Utah is 13-4.
Overview of Markieef Morris
Recently T.I. scribe Stephen Dolan wrote a deep dive on the addition of the newly acquired Markieef Morris. Dolan highlighted the fact, according to Basketball-Reference Morris has only played power forward and center during his seven-year career.
However, using the same tool reveals Morris’ twin brother Marcus has played 52 percent of his minutes at the small forward position over the duration of his career. Given the bigs ahead of Morris, Steven Adams, Jerami Grant, and Nerlens Noel, it would be greatly beneficial if Markieef could slide down a position and backup PG in addition to backing up Grant.