Wednesday evening, the Utah Jazz meet at the Paycom Center for a traveling meeting against Oklahoma City Thunder. The Jazz lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Thunder beat the Memphis Grizzlies two nights ago. Tip-off is at 8:10 p.m. ET. Oklahoma City opens as a home favorite.
Thunder survives the grizz
The Thunder improved to 47-20 en route to a 118-112 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Chet Holmgren had 22 points and 11 rebounds and Jalen Williams added 23 points and six assists. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 20 points and Josh Giddey finished with 13 in the winning effort.
They easily won the first two meetings between the teams this season, including a 124-93 decision on March 10. They hold a share of the lead in the Western Conference and have had an incredible season. “It’s extremely important at the end of the season” Holmgren said to share first place, adding that the Thunder are headed in the right direction for a good playoff seed. “It’s also good to see that all the work we’re doing puts us in a good position. But we have a long way to go.”
Jalen Williams has scored a combined 50 points in his two games since missing the March 12 loss to the Pacers due to a sprained right ankle, and it’s safe to say the injury belongs now in the past for him. The forward has established himself as the Thunder’s second or third best offensive option most nights.
Jazz Falter in the Fourth
After tying the game early in the fourth quarter, the Jazz slipped down the stretch en route to a 114-104 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Collin Sexton led Utah with 24 points. Lauri Markkanen had 22 points and 12 rebounds after missing six games due to a right quadriceps contusion. Keyonte George added 15 points and eight assists.
John Collins had 11 points and six rebounds for the Jazz in three quarters. Collins did not play in the fourth while he was evaluated for a concussion. It was later confirmed to be a head contusion. Utah lost its second straight home game despite beating Minnesota 22-8 on second-chance points.
They took a 90-88 lead on a 3-point play by Markkanen. Minnesota then pulled away for good when Anthony Edwards capped a 12-1 run with back-to-back baskets, giving the Timberwolves a 100-91 lead with five minutes remaining. “I was rushing some things and obviously the turnovers cost us the game tonight,” Markkanen told the Associated Press journalists. “I will take responsibility for it. … But overall, it was fun to be back with my teammates. They are out of playoff contention, holding a 29-39 record as the series resumes.
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Chet Holmgren recorded a double-double for the third time in his last six appearances, and the rookie big man continues to make a huge impact on both ends of the court for a Thunder team on the rise. Holmgren is averaging 14.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 blocks per game since the start of March. Gilgeous-Alexander had just 20 points (8-16 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 3-6 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and one block in 35 minutes in Saturday’s 118-112 win over the Grizzlies. He continues to put up elite numbers every time he steps on the field, to the point where this outing was just a bump in the road for him. The star general should bounce back when the Thunder face the Jazz on Wednesday in a much faster game against a very mediocre defensive unit. Take the Thunder.
Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder ATS
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Lauri Markkanen returned to the lineup Monday and finished with 22 points (8 of 16 FGs), 12 rebounds, one assist, two steals, one block, one triple and six turnovers. Markkanen missed Utah’s previous six games, leading to widespread concerns about his status for the remainder of the season. He played in this game and he was able to provide excellent value as usual. Turnovers have been a problem, but a 20-point double-double in his first game back is enough. The Jazz play back-to-back games on Wednesday and Thursday, and it’s safe to assume that Markkanen will miss one of those games. However, when he’s on the court, he’ll have a huge impact, and I expect him for this OKC game, sitting out for Thursday’s game. Take over.
Prediction: MORE
