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Utah Jazz: Top 10 moments from 2017-18 NBA season

By Simon Smith

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 21: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz reacts during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 21: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz reacts during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. Playoff series win over the Oklahoma City Thunder

At the start of the season, this matchup would’ve been widely viewed as a four-game sweep.

With reigning MVP Russell Westbrook, All-Star Paul George in his prime, and a 10-time All-Star in Carmelo Anthony leading the Thunder, the Jazz’s chances of causing an upset would likely have been remote.

However such has been the growth of the Jazz over the past season, that although they didn’t have the all-important home court advantage, they finished level with the Thunder for the season with 48 wins. So entering the series, the Jazz were naturally quietly confident of their chances.

The Jazz fought back for the elusive home-court advantage with a terrific Game 2 performance by holding the Thunder to just 40 percent shooting for the game, with OKC’s Big 3 combining for just 19-of-58 shooting from the field.

The ensuing three games saw the home team hold serve, which then brought us to Game 6. After the game was tied 41-41 at the main break, the Jazz simply exploded in outscoring the Thunder 37-21 in the period. Not surprisingly, rookie Donovan Mitchell was outstanding, scoring 22 of his game-high 38 points in the third quarter, whereby he simply cut up the Thunder’s defense by scoring in a multitude of ways.

Although the Thunder brought the game back to 90-88 with 2:54 remaining in the game, the Jazz’s defense again came to forefront, with Westbrook shooting 1-of-5 and George 0-of-4 in the final stages of the game.

In addition to Mitchell, center Rudy Gobert posted 12 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks, while small forward Joe Ingles added 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists with a +16 when on the floor.

After the game, Ingles detailed the mindset of the team entering this pivotal contest:

"“We didn’t want to go back [to Oklahoma City], we didn’t need to go back, we were confident in what we can do, we’ve got the best fans in the league and we weren’t planning to go back there…..It’s one of the best groups of guys I’ve ever been with, we play for each other.”"

Next: 2018 NBA Mock Draft - Doncic still No. 1 in post-lottery edition

So while they weren’t able to get the business done in the second round against the Houston Rockets, this playoff experience is going to serve the Jazz in extremely good stead for the years to come.

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