Third quarter boosts Thunder
What a roller coaster of a game. During a roller coaster of a season, would you expect any less? The Thunder’s 107-99 victory over the Jazz in Game 5 was a wild ride, and the grades reflect it.
Intestinal fortitude
AThe Thunder had it in spades Wednesday, but none had it more than Russell Westbrook and Paul George. OKC’s superstar guards played every minute of the second half. It’s one thing for players to go an entire quarter in an elimination game, but two full quarters? That’s almost unheard of. But Westbrook and George weren’t just on the court. They were dominating. Westbrook finished with 45 points, 33 of which came after halftime, while George had 34 points, including 21 after half. They were spectacular on both ends of the court.
Alex Abrines
ASure seemed throughout the series like the reserve shooting guard could be a helpful hand on the offensive end, but Abrines helped turn around
COMMENTARY
Game 5 with his defense. He wasn’t just serviceable. He was really good. He caused turnovers. He got into shooters. He even blocked a shot. Abrines gave the Thunder a defensive spark. Even though he scored only three points and didn’t get on the board until late in the fourth quarter, he had a huge impact on the Thunder.
Guarding the 3 early
FThe Thunder struggled all season to defend 3-point shooters, but it might’ve been as heinous early Wednesday as it was all season. The Jazz repeatedly had wide-open looks early in the game that allowed it to build a lead. The backside 3 from the corner was especially problematic. Again and again, the Jazz got open looks from there. Again and again, it splashed them. Utah hit 7 of 10 from behind the arc in the first quarter, including 4 of 5 from Jae Crowder. But really, it didn’t matter where the Jazz shooters were launching from, they often got a clear view of the rim. Unbelievable that such a thing can still be happening in the 87th game of the season.
Guarding the 3 late
AIt was all about effort. Midway through the third quarter, the Thunder decided to start playing hard on the defensive end. It covered up a lot of defensive issues, but prime among them was the Jazz’s open looks from deep. OKC had some different lineups in, too, with Carmelo Anthony sitting much of the third quarter, but as much as anything, the Thunder just played harder. Rotated quicker. Reacted better. It changed the ballgame.
Enes experience
AEnes Kanter was in the house. For much of the night, that news was the best thing about the evening. That guy loves Oklahoma City almost as much as it loves him. It’s too bad that the Thunder could neither show him on the big screen or recognize him with an announcement; NBA tampering rules prohibit such a thing with a player who’s under contract with another team. Kanter would’ve gotten the biggest ovation of the night. Guaranteed.
Exploiting Gobert foul trouble
AYes, the Thunder exploited it on the offensive end, but where it really turned the game around was on defense. Without Rudy Gobert in the game, the Thunder put the clamps on the Jazz offense. With Gobert on the bench after his fourth foul, the Jazz managed just two points. When he went to the bench with five fouls, Utah managed just 13 points in eight-plus minutes. Sure, the OKC offense found the Utah defense lacking without Gobert and got to the basket a ton, but the game turned because OKC made the Utah offense pedestrian.
Ball movement
CThe Thunder started making shots, and that made things look a lot better, but for a majority of the game, it didn’t move the ball well at all. Lots of possessions, there was a pass or two, and that was it. Swinging it side to side? Throwing a skip pass? Rarely happened. No surprise, then, that the Thunder shot so poorly and dug themselves such a huge hole.