Thunder hope to attack inside

Sometimes it seems impossible to score against Rudy Gobert.

The Jazz center is nicknamed the Stifle Tower for a reason, and not just for his nationality. The 7-foot-1 Frenchman blocked 2.3 shots per game in the regular season and led the NBA in contested two-point shots at 12.7 per game.

And for much of Oklahoma City’s 116-108 win in Game 1 of its Western Conference first-round playoff series against Utah, Gobert kept the Thunder quiet in the paint.

But it's not impossible to score on Gobert. And OKC intends to keep trying.

“You want to be able to do that,” Thunder coach Billy Donovan said.

The Thunder didn’t do it much in Sunday’s win, but didn’t need to, thanks to Paul George’s red-hot shooting. George went 8 for 11 from 3-point range and scored 36 points to lift the Oklahoma City offense.

But that sort of shooting likely isn’t sustainable, and OKC needs to diversify its offense.

That means continuing to work to pull Gobert away from the basket when it can. It did that with some success in Game 1. Gobert contested 10 shots — the Thunder made four of them — and blocked two.

Oklahoma City shot 12 for 25 on non-paint twopoint shots, the kind of mid-range jumpers Gobert is unlikely to contest.

“We want to keep him engaged as far as not being able to change shots and not being effective down in the paint blocking shots,” forward Carmelo Anthony said. “I thought (Sunday) we did a good job of, for one, making shots. For two, just keeping him away from being able to be effective as far as blocking shots and altering shots.”

Asked the key to doing that, Anthony joked, “Can’t tell you that. I’m pretty sure Utah is looking at these interviews.”

Despite the Thunder’s success limiting contests, Utah outscored OKC 50-32 in the paint in Game 1. Center Steven Adams took two shots in post-up situations — once against Derrick Favors and once against Gobert — and had his shot blocked both times.

But the Thunder found ways to get looks around the rim in the fourth quarter, when it scored 12 points in the paint. It did that mostly via the pick and roll, with Westbrook twice throwing lobs to Adams for baskets.

It’s important, Adams said, for the Thunder to continue attacking, even when Gobert is in the game.

Though Gobert is a “phenomenal” help defender, Adams said, it’s challenging for him to block shots on a man who’s posting him up — or to swat perimeter players who blow by their man and get into Gobert’s body with some momentum.

“We’re not going away from any of it,” Adams said. “We’re just gonna keep doing our (stuff), mate. We ain’t changing up anything. Just keep attacking, see what happens.”

Injury update

Adams, who appeared to injure his right hand on a fourth-quarter dunk, was “fine” for Monday’s practice, Donovan said. George, who received treatment during Sunday’s game for a right hip contusion, also went through practice, which was light and did not include contact.

An MRI on Monday revealed a left foot contusion for Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell. His status for Wednesday’s game will be determined on Tuesday.

“We don’t play for two days,” Mitchell said at Utah’s practice on Monday. “I think (Tuesday) will be the determining factor. But I feel fine. Feel pretty good.”

Tip-ins

The Thunder is 6-3 alltime in playoff series when it wins Game 1 . ... Anthony scored his 1,700th playoff point on Sunday and finished the game with 1,708 career postseason points. That’s 14th among active players.

Contributing: Berry Tramel