Thunder Lock Up Season Sweep Over Utah
Mar 11, 2019, 9:30 PM | Updated: 9:41 pm
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) loses the rebound to Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during an NBA game at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 11, 2019. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
(Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Oklahoma City Thunder have been a major pain to the Utah Jazz this season. With a 98-86 win on Monday, the Thunder secured a 4-0 season series sweep over Utah.
Perhaps the Thunder have been playing against Utah with a chip on their shoulder after being eliminated by the Jazz in six games in the opening round of the Western Conference playoffs last season.
Maybe Oklahoma City’s Paul George hasn’t forgotten about Jazz forward Joe Ingles lighting him up and not backing down in physical battles in that epic playoffs series.
Regardless of why, the Thunder have had Utah’s number all season. While the two middle games were both decided by one point each, they were bookended by big time wins by OKC.
⚡️🧹🎷4-0 pic.twitter.com/obGf4AgChX
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 12, 2019
George Has Been Great Against Utah
George in particular has been especially dominant against the Jazz in 2018-19.
Considered by many to be an MVP candidate this season, George has shown up big time when playing against Utah.
Coming into the game, George was averaging 39.7 points per game on 60 percent shooting in three games against the Jazz.
MORE FROM JAZZ vs. THUNDER
In the Feb. 22 game that went into double-overtime, George was instrumental in leading the Thunder to a 148-147 victory.
Against the Jazz on Monday, he wasn’t nearly as sharp, scoring just eight points in the first half on 1-for-5 shooting. He finished the game with 14 points on 2-of-7 shooting.
Russ blocks. Dennis drives. That's #ThunderBasketball pic.twitter.com/tUIgLtzgPE
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 12, 2019
He was however, buoyed up by a full team performance by Oklahoma City.
Dennis Schroder was sharp coming off the bench and scoring 24 points on 10-for-18 shooting.
Former league MVP Russell Westbrook had 23 points and nearly had a triple-double with 10 rebounds and eight assists.
Donovan Mitchell had 25 points while Rudy Gobert turned in a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Next Up
Now having lost two in a row, the Jazz will hit the road to face the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday at 8 p.m. The game will be broadcast on AT&T SportsNet.
