Jazz Drop Second Straight In Loss to OKC

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Utah Jazz lost their second straight game in the second game of a back-to-back in a 122-113 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Rudy Gobert was slapped with two quick fouls in the first quarter, forcing the big man to take a seat on the bench. In his absence, the Jazz struggled to get going and trailed 30-22 at the break. It would have been an 11-point Oklahoma City lead had it not been for Donovan Mitchell’s shot from beyond half court that went in, nothing but net.

🕷️ at the 🚨🚨🚨!!! pic.twitter.com/jORmhBxwGe

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 11, 2018

Still, the Thunder kept the pressure up. Mitchell and Ricky Rubio were limited by getting in foul trouble with three fouls each. That foul trouble and Utah’s poor shooting from deep didn’t help the Jazz’s cause as Oklahoma City took a 57-46 lead at halftime.

Paul George exploded for 17 points in the third quarter to put the Thunder up 99-75 after the third quarter. As a team, the Jazz were outscored 42-29 in the penultimate quarter.

Paul George: 31pts // 80% from the field // 83% from downtown. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/8sPp1iGmBz

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 11, 2018

Oklahoma City coasted to its 15^th straight home win against Utah with most of its starters on the bench during the fourth quarter.

“Paul George was terrific,” said Jazz head coach Quin Snyder. “What he did, there’s some things you could do better, and there’s some plays that he made that are big time plays.”

By The Numbers

George was one of those who did not play in the final period and finished with a game-high 31 points.

Russell Westbrook finished with a 12-point, 11-rebound and 10-assist triple-double.

Mitchell concluded the night with 19 points. Gobert turned in a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds.

Next Up

The Jazz will return home to host the Miami Heat Wednesday at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on AT&T SportsNet.