Jazz Stomp Thunder To Take 2-1 Series Lead

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SteemSports Presenter:@mateonav53

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SteemSports Editor:@scottybuckets

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The Utah Jazz came up huge in a 115-102 home win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of their first-round series. Ricky Rubio commanded the floor and looked like a superstar on the way to a triple-double of 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Joe Ingles found himself in the zone too with 21 crucial points (5 of 10 from three-point land). Paul George led the Thunder in scoring with 23 points.

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The Utah home crowd was absolutely electric from the opening tip. Every made basket would generate a huge roar from the spectators. You would think that the Jazz hadn't been in the playoffs in 20 years by how hyped they were. Who else would've scored the first bucket of the contest but Donovan Mitchell with an athletic scoop layup.

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Utah jumped ahead 16-10, but then Russell Westbrook made his presence known. He didn't look like he was playing amazingly, but he either scored or assisted on the majority of Thunder baskets en route to their first lead of the game 25-22. Utah couldn't hit any shots in response and Oklahoma just kept piling it on to a maintain their lead after the first period 30-22.

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The Thunder kept them at arm's length for the first part of the second quarter. The Jazz would sink a shot but Thunder players from across the board would respond. Ricky Rubio's play was sharp though, and his handle was on point. He led the Jazz to a mini-comeback and regained the lead from OKC after being down 10+ points. The Jazz went on a 25-8 run and Ricky Rubio kept nailing shot after shot. He already had 19 points 7 rebounds and 6 assists at the end of two quarters. One half in the books, one more to go.

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The Jazz crowd was pretty quiet to start the third because the Thunder came right out and grabbed the lead back 63-60. That lead was gone in a second as the Jazz struck back with a 9-0 run to take the momentum and the scoreboard. OKC was playing ok, but their constant turnovers prevented their resurgence in the ballgame.The Jazz stretched it to a 14 point lead thanks to free throw opportunities and ball movement along the arc. The home team headed into the fourth quarter with the score 89-75.

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Ricky Rubio just went into another mode we hadn't seen. Where was this guy during the regular season? He had a few good games but he was totally balling out for the Jazz come playoff time. Ingles was just on fire too! Ricky Rubio and Joe Ingles were really outplaying Russell Westbrook and Paul George with half the fourth quarter remaining. OKC was just throwing up bricks in the final minutes and their body language looked horrible. Give the Jazz credit for coming up huge in their first home playoff game of the series with a convincing win 115-102.

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I'm surprised we didn't see a ferocious game from Russell Westbrook tonight. He had 11 rebounds and 9 assists but only managed 14 points. He's such a competitor but got outplayed by Donovan Mitchell in Game 2 and now Rubio in Game 3. Paul George's hip injury and lack of explosiveness seem to have affected the Thunder offensive game plan. He was the big reason that they won Game 1 with a 36 point performance. Oklahoma City is certainly vulnerable now, but they'll have a chance to respond on Monday evening in Game 4.

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Thank you for following @steemsports and you can find me @mateonav53

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