:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47876687/usa-today-8483370.0.jpg)
Tonight the Utah Jazz are hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder are leading the division and have already won one game this season against the Jazz, a game played in Utah no less! That 111-89 drubbing was bad. But things can be different tonight. First of all, this is going to be a closer game than expected, provided the lights go out, the WWE's "Undertaker" music comes on, and Rudy Gobert makes his way to the scorers table to check in. That's probably not going to happen, but I'd love to see our Jazz play with pride on their home court every game. This is the first of a home and home series between the two teams, and it's crazy that this season series, and possible playoff seeding implications, could be all wrapped up before I've even started wrapping up my Christmas presents. The Thunder are healthy, and on the war path -- having won 7 of their last 10 games, and are on a three game win streak right now. Yes, they played last night and defeated the Atlanta Hawks 107-94, but I don't think they will be too tired. It was a home game for OKC, and only Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, and Serge Ibaka went over 35 minutes.
Utah is going to have their hands full with those three, but also, ever also, have to contend with an energized Enes Kanter. The bench bigman, former #3 draft pick, is not really having a banner season. However, you could argue that with "per 36 minute" stats he is doing quite weill -- there at least he averages 20.3 pts and 14.2 reb. In reality he's an 11 and 8 guy, which is Matt Harping level. I'm not joking, for his career Harpring was a 11 and 5 guy. The three extra boards can be attributed to one guy being 6'11 and the other 6'7, and one playing center while the other was a SF/SG.
The marquee match-up is Kevin Durant and Gordon Hayward. Though, I am really interested to see who wins between Dion Waiters and Alec Burks. Man, as you can tell I am on some heavy medication right now as I am trying to fight off the flu, a cold, and a fever. I can also predict the game recap is going to be wild, once these drugs kick in.