Thunder targets ‘SlowMo Joe’

OKLAHOMA City Thunder has won game one of its NBA playoffs series against Utah Jazz after successfully executing a strategy to pressure Joe Ingles and target his lack of foot speed.

Ingles, nicknamed SlowMo Joe, has been the Jazz’s best weapon with his passing and elite three-point shooting, but Thunder coach Billy Donovan assigned one of the league’s best defenders, AllStar forward Paul George, on the South Australian.

It proved to be a key factor in the Thunder’s 116-108 victory in Oklahoma City. George said he was confident Ingles would not beat him to the basket.

“Just pressure him,” George, describing the game plan, said. “That’s the mindset.

“It’s very unlikely he will beat me off the dribble so I’ll take my chances with foot speed.”

Ingles had 13 points, including three three-pointers from five attempts, but it was not the explosive offensive performance the Jazz needed to keep up with the Thunder.

Ingles had just one assist, well below the five he averaged in the regular season.

Utah coach Quin Snyder defended the underrated Australian.

“Joe has been a heck of a player all year,” Snyder said.

“He’s one of our key guys and key playmakers and we will keep grinding.”

The Thunder’s three All- Stars dominated with George’s 36 points and seven rebounds, Russell Westbrook’s 29 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists and Carmelo Anthony’s 15 points and seven rebounds.

Thunder and Jazz contests are always physical and Sunday’s followed the script with Jazz Rookie of the Year candidate Donovan Mitchell hurting his left foot in the second quarter and spending time in the locker room getting an X-ray.

George hurt his hip and left the game in the fourth quarter and the Thunder’s Kiwi centre Steven Adams injured his right arm, finishing off an alley-oop pass from Westbrook.

Mitchell had an outstanding debut playoff game with 27 points and 10 rebounds, stats not matched since LeBron James’ playoff debut in 2004. With Mitchell hampered by the injury. Snyder gave Dante Exum more opportunities and the Australian guard responded with 10 points.

“I loved the way Dante attacked the rim,” Snyder said.

Game two is in Oklahoma City on Thursday.

Australia’s Aron Baynes, Matthew Dellavedova and Thon Maker were bystanders as the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks battled in an overtime playoff thriller involving buzzer beating three-pointers.

The Celtics held on to claim a 113-107 victory in game one of their first round series at a packed Boston TD Garden.