Utah Jazz: 3 takeaways from Game 2 vs. Thunder
By Mason McFee
We take a look at how the Utah Jazz were able to steal Game 2 on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and what to look for as the series moves on.
Joe Ingles. Ricky Rubio. Donovan Mitchell. Rudy Gobert.
Paul George. Russell Westbrook. Carmelo Anthony. Steven Adams. The series between these two teams is a star-studded affair on paper, but what it really boils down to is that it’s just good (and fun) basketball to watch.
Both teams entered the series ranking in the top 10 of points allowed per game; with the Utah Jazz ranking second (99.8 points per game) and the Oklahoma City Thunder ranking 10th (104.4 per game). Game 1 ended in OKC’s favor, with the home team winning 116-108, but it was an exciting game until the end, and that trend continued in Game 2.
At halftime, the Jazz had built a seven-point advantage and looked like they were going to keep it going off a few uncontested dunks and layups from Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert. But then the Thunder took their first lead since second quarter in the third, courtesy of a 19-0 run. The drought for Utah didn’t end before Mitchell hit a free throw, which would be Utah’s first points since the 6:46 mark in the third quarter.
The run definitely lit a fire under Mitchell, as he would score six points for the Jazz to keep the Thunder lead to five at the end of the third quarter. He wound up with 12 of the next 14 points for Utah. In the fourth, the Jazz would start on a 7-0 run to tie things up at 79. Mitchell became more assertive, and would finish with 13 points in the final frame.
Oh, and Donovan Mitchell’s foot is just fine – as evidenced by his final stat line of 28 points, six rebounds and 8-of-9 shooting from the free throw line.
Ricky Rubio nearly finished with a triple-double with 22 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, while Derrick Favors stuffed the stat sheet with 20 points and 16 rebounds. Gobert was stout offensively and defensively, putting up 13 points, 15 rebounds, three blocks and two steals.
As for the Thunder, Westbrook would also nearly finish with a triple-double (19 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds) and Melo had another ineffective shooting night (6-for-18), but it was the third star of OKC’s Big 3 that stole the show once again….