OKC Thunder – Utah Jazz preview -The development campaign begins

The NBA tipped off its 75th campaign last night wIth two matches including ring night for the Bucks. Tonight the OKC Thunder begin their 2021-22 journey with their first of 82 games.

Generally, it feels like a lifetime between the finish of one season and the start of the next. Those four-plus months drag on and around late September NBA stans start feeling those familiar basketball withdrawal pangs. However, when you factor in two shortened seasons due to a pandemic it dramatically shifted those timelines.

While the Thunder last played a regular-season game on May 16th, the Bucks clinched the 2021 title precisely three months ago today (July 20th).

Also out of the ordinary for this franchise and its fanbase is OKC enters this season without expectations of competing for a postseason berth. Instead, this iteration of the Thunder will focus on development with the primary goal of securing a bottom three seed.

This may not be a typical season but there will still be plenty to cheer for. With that let’s dive into this first match versus the Jazz.

OKC Thunder vs Utah Jazz preview – Let the tank begin!

Game one features a Northwest division rival who finished with the best record in the association last season. A difference of 30 wins separated the Jazz and Thunder. Yet, in spite of their dominance Utah failed to get past the second round for the fifth consecutive year.

These clubs return this season likely to finish at the opposite ends of the spectrum again with Utah looking to make a finals run and the Thunder lottery-bound hoping to nab the top draft pick.

Constancy is key with this Jazz club who will try to build upon its strengths. While Utah could just run everything back that worked they’d be well served to make some system tweaks.

While they dealt with injuries in the postseason their issues centered more on too much reliance on perimeter offense. Similarly, the Jazz who began their ascent based on quality defense took a step back last season with the addition of more scoring weapons. In particular, they got exposed facing small-ball lineups. Although Gobert took the brunt of the criticism the entire core needs to revisit the defensive focus that helped them become a player in the West in the first place.

The roster is essentially the same although Utah added reserve depth via Rudy Gay, Eric Paschall, and Hassan Whiteside. The Jazz also got a gem in Jared Butler via the draft when he slipped to the second round due to questions about his health.

Key matchup:

This game will offer the Thunder a litmus test for how much they improved during training camp and preseason play. Although the Jazz are heavy favorites there are specific matchups that will allow individuals an opportunity to gauge their own growth as well.

Circumstance can dictate opportunity and that’s true for the two cornerstones of these franchises. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander enters his fourth season with his name mentioned as a potential Most Improved Player candidate.

By virtue of being on a deeper “ready to contend now” club Donovan Mitchell who was drafted one year prior could find himself in the Most Valuable Player conversation if the Jazz replicates last season’s success and he takes another step up the ladder.

Luguentz Dort will undoubtedly get the tap to guard Mitchell while Favors will likely have the task of dealing with former teammate Gobert.

Ingles and Giddey spent time this summer with the Australian National team leading up to the Olympics (Giddey was among the last cuts) so that offers intrigue as well.

Jazz projected starting lineup:

The entire core unit is back meaning the starting rotation should feature Mike Conley, Donovan Mitchell, Bojan Bogdanovic, Royce O’Neale, and Rudy Gobert.

Sixth Man Jordan Clarkson and Joe Ingles will lead the way for the reserve unit.

Jazz Injuries:

Two Jazz players are out for sure with a third up in the air.

• Eric Paschall (finger) will be a game-time decision.
• Rudy Gay (heel) out
• Trent Forrest (concussion) is out.
  .

OKC Thunder projected starting lineup:

Although head coach Mark Daigneault has a bunch of youngsters to integrate into the system the core five seems to be cemented. Specifically, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Luguentz Dort, Darius Bazley, and Derrick Favors.

Depending on matchups there could be some tweaks (Favors seems the most likely player to switch) but for now, this should be the starting rotation.

Aleksej Pokusevski, Isaiah Roby should get ample reserve minutes.

OKC Thunder injuries:

As of posting, there are no players listed on the injured list. I’m not sure if the situation with Vit Krejci‘s visa has been cleared up but we’ll update once we know.

History:

The clubs played each other three times in the shortened 72-game season with Utah sweeping the series. All-Time the Thunder have the edge winning 112 of their 194 meetings.

Game Specifics:

Venue: Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah

Tip-off: the game starts at 8:00 p.m. Central Time (9:00 p.m. EST)

Where to watch the game: Bally Sports Oklahoma of NBA League Pass

Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM