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

Key Stats:

As of this writing, the Jazz offense (114.3)  ranks first overall, their defense ranks in a tie for ninth (104.5), and their net rating ranks second with a positive +9.8 net differential bolstered by two consecutive routs this weekend.

In contrast, the OKC Thunder ranks 29th offensively (99.2),13th defensively (106.0 ), and 26th in net rating with a minus -6.8 net differential.

Scoring:

The Jazz scores 112.1 per game ranking third overall and allowing opponents to score 102.4 which ranks fourth.

The Thunder ranks 29th in scoring per game with 98.6 points and allows opponents to score 105.6 points per game ranking 12th.

Rebounding:

On the glass, the Jazz grabs 47.5 rebounds per game ranking third overall. Offensively, Utah lands in a three-way tie for 10th pulling down 10.4 boards.

OKC ranks first in the association averaging 48.4 total boards per match and grabs 10.7 offensive boards per match which rank ninth overall.

Dime dishers:

As for playmaking, Utah averages 21.6 dimes per match ranking 26th. The Thunder average 20.0 assists which is the worst assist per game ranking in the association.

Perimeter:

Part of what made Utah so successful last season was their fourth-ranked 3-point shooting.  Through the early season, they’ve struggled to replicate that success.  This season they are still attempting a ton of deep balls (41.9) but making only 14.3 which equates to 34.0 percent and places them 19th overall.

The Thunder struggles from deep shooting 30.9 percent while attempting 38.6 deep balls and making 11.9 which finds them 29th on the ranking order.

Turnovers:

The Jazz doesn’t take particularly good care of the ball turning it over 15.4 times per match ranking 22nd in the league.

OKC see-saw between good weeks and bad weeks for turnovers. With a slight improvement recently they improve to 20th overall with 14.7 turnovers per game.

Miscellaneous Categories:

For the team with the best offense it’s odd they don’t perform better in more miscellaneous categories. They do well in second-chance scoring and in paint scoring but that’s not surprising given how Rudy Gobert battles on the glass.

• Points off turnovers: 14.6   – rank 25th
• Second Chance points: 15.6 – rank 4th
• Fastbreak points: 10.6 – rank tied 24th
• Points in the paint: 48.4 – rank 6th

Part of the slippage of the Jazz defensively can directly relate back to these miscellaneous categories where they don’t excel in any. That could simply be the Jazz getting out to a slow start this season but it’s odd they aren’t performing well at protecting the paint or via second-chance scoring.

While the Jazz benefit from Gobert’s presence in the paint defensively they’ve got work to do to shore up the defensive paint.

• Points off turnovers: 18.0 – rank 23rd
• Second Chance points: 13.1 – rank 21st
• Fast Break points: 12.4 – three-way tie for 19th
• Points in the paint: 46.8  – three-way tie for 21st

NOTE: stats were taken on November 21st from NBA official site and could experience shifts as games tip-off.