OKC Thunder versus Utah Jazz – Can home cooking alter streak?

Key matchup:

Although Donovan Mitchell is the obvious player that Mark Daigneault will earmark on the chalkboard to keep under control there are numerous players who can impact winning for the Jazz.

Because the Thunder doesn’t have a 7′ center the presence of Rudy Gobert is problematic. In the initial meeting, Gobert delivered a double-double of 16 points and 21 rebounds (five offensive rebounds).

The Thunder are the best rebounding club in the league but Gobert is a major issue for OKC to deal with.

If the Thunder can keep Gobert and Mitchell in line then there is the scoring duo of Bojan Bogdanovic and Mike Conley who both can get hot from the perimeter.

And, if Daigneault’s charges can limit that quartet then they have to concern themselves with reigning Sixth Man Jordan Clarkson.  In essence, this Jazz club is extremely deep with weapons up and down the rotation.

In the first meeting, it was Bogdanovic who got hot scoring 22 points on 10 of 17. Since it was the first game of the season every player was still finding their rhythm so this match could be even tougher.

Darius Bazley, Derrick Favors, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl will be in tough trying to control Gobert while Luguentz Dort will be tasked with keeping Mitchell in check or guarding whichever guard/wing is hot.

Things become even harder for the Thunder since the team is reporting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be out again still suffering from his sprained ankle.