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Utah Jazz steal OKC’s Thunder and home court with big win

DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES???

By Mychal Lowman Updated
NBA: Playoffs-Utah Jazz at Oklahoma City Thunder Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

This is the new version of the Game Thread. This is the Live Thread. You’re still able to overreact in the comments, claim that Tim Duncan was a center, and that Karl Malone was the best Power Forward of all-time; only now you can get live game updates from pregame to Postgame with everything in between.

4th Quarter

HOLY ****. HOLY ****. HOLY ****. The Utah Jazz stole home court from the Oklahoma City Thunder. What can you say about Donovan Mitchell that isn’t a superlative? He was a superstar. Not a star. Not an All-Star. But a Superstar. He had 28 points and 6 rebounds.

Derrick Favors was huge in this game. Donovan Mitchell when getting the “star of the night” postgame interview just praised Derrick Favors. Derrick Favors had 20 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 assists. Utah was in a position to get back into this game because Derrick Favors took advantage of Steven Adams absence and rebounded like a man possessed.

Amazing. Absolutely amazing.

Ricky Rubio almost had a triple double. He made 5 threes to finish with 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists. He’s just a competitive monster.

3rd Quarter

Utah 74 - Oklahoma City 79

Let’s just pretend that quarter never happened. Cool? Cool.

2nd Quarter

Utah Jazz 53 - Oklahoma City 46

Whatever changes Utah made between Game 2 and Game 1 are working. The Jazz have had their hands full with Playoff P who has 11 points and 7 rebounds, but the Jazz have countered with Postseason Rick (Ricky Rubio) with 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. The Jazz have their lead because of early foul trouble to Steven Adams and Derrick MOTHERFLIPPIN’ FAVORS. Derrick Favors has been a beast on the offensive rebounds. When Steven Adams and Rudy Gobert were both sitting with 2 fouls, Derrick Favors played big minutes and beasted the OKC Thunder.

Donovan Mitchell who has looked like he’s not at 100% has 8 points on 4 of 10 shooting. Joe Ingles who got quick out from Quin Snyder played better in the second quarter and has only 3 points. The Utah Jazz need a good game from Joe Ingles and so far he’s been neutralized by Paul George.

Outside of Paul George, Russell Westbrook has 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. Carmelo has added 10 points. Outside of those three, no one has more than 6 points. Utah has limited the Thunder’s second chance points and forced OKC to turn the ball over. The Thunder have 9 turnovers in the 1st half.

For Utah to win this game they need to continue to limit Steven Adams second chance points and limit the Thunder’s role players. If OKC’s big three get little help, and they’re not getting second chance buckets, the Utah Jazz have a good chance to steal this game and homecourt.

It’s almost like they shouldn’t take those shots.

Paul George is a machine.

1st Quarter

Utah Jazz 26 - Oklahoma City 25

With Steven Adams leaving the first quarter with 2 fouls, Derrick Favors took over. He had 9 points, 7 rebounds (5 offensive). Billy Donovan went really small with Carmelo at the 5. Derrick Favors ate. Donovan Mitchell is looking good but not exploding off that foot. The Thunder definitely are blitzing Mitchell on pick and rolls. Jae Crowder has 3 fouls and it’s doubtful we see him for the rest of the first half. Dante Exum is getting to the rim. He’s awesome. Ricky Rubio had a good first quarter. Let’s see if it continues.

Pregame

wink, wink

Here’s who to blame if the Utah Jazz lose tonight.

It looks like Donovan Mitchell AND Paul George are go for this game. Andy Larsen with the report.

Game Info:

When: Wednesday, Apr. 18, 2018 •6 PM MT

Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena • Oklahoma City, OK

TV: NBATV, AT&T Sports Net - Rocky Mountain

Radio: 1280 AM/97.5 FM The Zone

Injuries:

Utah Jazz:

Donovan Mitchell - foot contusion - probable

Thabo Sefolosha - knee - out for season

Oklahoma City Thunder:

Paul George - hip contusion - questionable, but there’s no way he doesn’t play.

Andre Roberson - knee - out for season

Ground Rules

Welcome to the SLC Dunk Live Thread. This is new as we’ll have game updates throughout it. Dunkers know how this thing works, but for you lurkers ready to make the jump to Dunker, we have a few guidelines. Remember to follow our community guidelines (no swearing, trolling, excessive use of Jerry Sloan’s name in vain, no personal attacks, no debates about Utah liquor laws, etc.). Remember to have fun. Anyone who dare blasphemes that Tim Duncan was a Power Forward or John Stockton is not the best point guard of all-time will receive an automatic ban. Just kidding. But seriously.

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