Pivotal Game 3 In Store for Jazz and Thunder
SteemSports Presenter:@mateonav53
SteemSports Editor:@scottybuckets
Game 3 is here people, and we are tied at one apiece. Last Wednesday, the Utah Jazz came into Oklahoma City with a hobbled leader and stole a hotly contested game from the Thunder. Now they get a chance to lead the series when they face off in the Vivint Smart Home Arena with their raucous home crowd cheering behind them.
Utah got huge Game 2 contributions from their main guys Derrick Favors (20 pts, 16 rebs, 3 assists), Ricky Rubio (22 pts, 7 rebs, 9 assists), Rudy Gobert (13 pts, 15 rebs, 3 blocks) and of course Donovan Mitchell (28 pts, 6 rebs, 2 assists). OKC got solid stats throughout the roster and from their three stars, but none of them broke 20 points. The entire Big Three failed to sink a field goal in the entire fourth quarter, which probably won't re-occur in Game 3.
The Thunder have had all the potential in the world, but exhibited an inconsistency in Game 2 that they've been vulnerable to all season. They can still defend well at times, but it's harder to stay focused as a unit without Andre Roberson locking fools down on the perimeter. Paul George is tasked with putting forth a bit of extra effort on both ends of the floor, but maybe his hip injury really has taken a toll on his performance.
He even admitted in a postgame interview that his explosiveness seems a little dialed back. Per the blog Thunderwire via Fansided, George remarked, "It was tougher for me offensively to have that burst and that push...Offensively, it’s having that push and that explosiveness to go by guys right now. It’s a little tough." He's had two full days of rest but I think that hip contusion will still be present. Maybe we will see a superhuman effort 40-10-10 effort from Westbrook in Game 3 to make up for it.
Donovan Mitchell sustained a toe injury in Game 1, but he balled out so hard most people probably forgot! That's what happens when you have a younger body, it's easier to play through the pain. Jazz beat man Tony Jones reported on Friday that Donovan is listed as probable...but there's no way he's going to just sit on the bench and let the game happen in front of him. He will be ready to pile the pain on the Thunder that he's been providing all series.
This is the only Western Conference series that has been back-and-forth so far. It's so exciting seeing a sensational rookie lead a Utah Jazz into battle against a squad of established superstars. The Thunder still have their pride and Russell Westbrook. Even though they'll be on the road with a banged up Paul George, don't count out the fury of Russ who will be putting the team on his back. After Donovan Mitchell just outplayed him and conquered his squad, Russ will be looking to regain his dominance. I think Oklahoma will prevail in another close one 110-104. But if Utah walks away with the Game 3 win, I think they'll take the series.
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It would be nice to see the Jazz take the series especially without a big name and a rookie star! True underdog story.
Yea I was kind of pulling for the thunder in the beginning of the playoffs but Mitchell is just so insane! I wanna root for them too. Can't believe we are getting such incredible debut seasons from him and even Simmons too!
Yeah, I agree! I love seeing kids show there stuff on primetime in the NBA. Shows how mature they are and the level they can compete in.
Totally agree as well! It is great to see the Jazz rolling so smoothly with their roster, which is weaker on paper than the Thunder's. OKC has high ambitions, so all pressure is on them for game 3.
I expect a response from OKC and wonder if the Jazz will be ready.
I personally like Westbrook and think hes been holding it down since Durant left. But I would love to see the Jazz keep going!
this good the blond series is doing good matches we will see what happens jazz force