OKC Thunder vs. Utah Jazz, 2019-20 team preview
Contract Situation by category:
Guaranteed: Dante Exum, Donovan Mitchell, Joe Ingles, Tony Bradley, Rudy Gobert, Miye Oni, Mike Conley, Emmanuel Mudiay, Nigel Williams-Goss, Bojan Bogdanovic, Jeff Green, Ed Davis
Non/Partial Guaranteed: Georges Niang | F: Royce O’Neale
Two-Way Contracts: Jarrell Brantley | Justin Wright-Foreman
Unsigned or on Exhibit 10: Trevon Bluiett | William Howard | Stanton Kidd | Juwan Morgan
Thunder performance vs. Jazz in 2018-19
Another club the Thunder dominated in 2018-19. In case there was any doubt a bad taste was left in Russell Westbrook, Paul George and their teammates’ mouths they left no uncertainty by sweeping the season series.
December 10, 2018, OKC Thunder versus Utah Jazz, Win: 122 – 113
Paul George 31 points, Donovan Mitchell 19 points
December 22, 2018, OKC Thunder at Utah Jazz, Win: 107 – 106
Paul George 43 points, Donovan Mitchell/Rudy Gobert 20 points
February 22, 2019, OKC Thunder versus Utah Jazz, Double overtime win: 148 – 147
Paul George 45 points, Donovan Mitchell 38 points
March 11, 2019, OKC Thunder at Utah Jazz, Win: 98 – 89
Paul George 24 points, Donovan Mitchell 25 points
Jazz Games versus OKC Thunder in 2019-20:
Away Game: Wednesday, October 23, 2019, at 9:00 p.m. EST (season opener)
Away Game: Monday, December 9, 2019, 9:00 p.m. EST
Home Game: Wednesday, March 11, 2020, 8:00 p.m. EST
Home Game: Monday, April 13, 2020, 8:00 p.m. EST
Marquee matchup: Donovan Mitchell versus Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
What to expect in the four matches versus Jazz this season:
Much like the Jazz, the OKC Thunder features copious new faces and starters. Moreover, many of those faces are youngsters without a resume of extensive experience.
The culture in OKC has always been about team and defense. This season the offensive system is receiving major tweaks. Also like Utah, the Thunder start the 2019-20 campaign with a tough itinerary (arguably the toughest in the association).
There won’t be the same pressure on OKC to win. Most pundits have already written them off. Everyone should be thankful for that since it will allow the players to compete without the same ‘high expectation’ stress levels. Lose and it was expected, win you gain confidence.
More from Thunderous Intentions
- Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
- Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
- 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
In terms of matchups, for as much as the Jazz are virtually two deep at every position the Thunder has a quality starting unit. Back-to-back DPoY Gobert is a handful, but Adams strength and talent will keep Rudy busy. Likewise, the backcourts are in similar boats. Both feature a young developing potential star and an older savvy vet. Chris Paul is older than Conley but still possesses game enough to keep him busy.
The two areas where the Jazz seemingly holds the advantage is their wings have more experience and proven production. Similarly, the Jazz reserves are plentiful comprised of wily vets and youthful up and comers but that unit could be susceptible.
One specific player could be vital to OKC. There is no equivalent talent at the four on Utah who can counter Danilo Gallinari.
These won’t be easy games. Playing in the altitude of Salt Lake against a scrappy defense adds to the degree of difficulty. I certainly wouldn’t expect a sweep this season. Even garnering a split would be considered difficult.
Next. Roundtable Sessions- OKC Thunder expectations and former players segment. dark
Two of the games come much later in the schedule when the Thunder compilation could be drastically changed. For that reason I’m inclined to say the Jazz win the series 3-1.