The OKC Thunder begin the stretch towards the postseason with an exhilarating double-overtime victory at home over the Utah Jazz
It has been a long time since we have seen NBA basketball due to the recent All-Star break. Much to the delight of everyone who watched, the OKC Thunder and Utah Jazz put on a show tonight. The teams traded blow for blow in the first game back from the break, that lead to a ridiculous 148-147 victory for the Thunder.
There are so many layers to this game and so many storylines that this article could be 10 slides long. From the opening tip, this game felt like a playoff elimination game with both teams bringing their absolute best. A long, foul-filled first half ended with the OKC Thunder on top 66-57. Russell Westbrook was brilliant on offense (and from three no less) with 20 in the opening half.
The second half was dominated for the most part by the feisty Jazz team that always seems to give Oklahoma City headaches. Utah won the third period 38-27 to reclaim a two-point advantage going into the final frame. Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, and Derrick Favors were all problems for the Thunder tonight.
The fun really began to happen in the fourth quarter. The OKC Thunder fell down by double digits only to spring back into the game via excellence from their two superstar players. Westbrook and George were instrumental in getting the OKC Thunder back in the game.
Jerami Grant made a huge and-one basket, followed up by a huge block to send it to extra basketball. With overtime being dominated by fouls and more body blows from each side, Westbrook and Terrance Ferguson were both left to watch the last overtime period on the bench as they fouled out.
Double overtime was an epic slog that felt like watching Apollo Creed and Rocky Balboa trade blows before knocking each other to the mat. Luckily for the Thunder tonight, Paul George gave his best Italian Stallion impersonation as he floated a beautiful raindrop shot over Rudy Gobert’s outstretched arms to send in the winning basket with just eight seconds left.
What a game. What a finish. And we get to do it all again tomorrow night. Let’s get to some player grades!