- Utah Jazz (7-15, 12th in the West) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (14-7, 2nd in the West)
- When: Monday, 11 December 2023 at 7:00pm CST
- Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
- Offensive Rating – UTA: 109.4 (26th) / OKC: 117.3 (8th)
- Defensive Rating – UTA: 118.0 (25th) / OKC: 110.1 (6th)
- Net Rating – UTA: -8.6 (27th) / OKC: 7.2 (3rd)
The Set-Up
That signature win at home. That win that made the Paycom feel like it was the Chesapeake Energy Arena. Where the thunderous drum guided the chants of defense and the crowd chanted “O…K…C!” when the team was on offense. We finally got that with the game against the Warriors. That feeling like we’re finally back. Walking back to my car that evening, the crowd was still in a fervor, chanting “OKC” as we crossed the underpass on Reno. It felt like the good ol’ days. Hopefully more of those days are forthcoming, because it was a great feeling.
As we head to a vote on Tuesday, December 12th, to determine if the city will continue the $0.01 cent tax in order to pay for a new, state of the art arena, remember that feeling. Remember what it feels like to have Oklahomans cheering for the same team, not divided by crimson and orange. Remember what it’s like to have Oklahomans coming together to enjoy something like the Thunder, instead of coming together in tragedy. This is what the MAPS program has created. And this is what can continue if the vote is YES on Tuesday, December 12th. Go vote! and vote YES!
This is the first of four meetings this season between these Northwest Division rivals.
Betting Info
- Line: OKC -12.5
- O/U: 234.5
Injury Report
OKC
- Lu Dort (ankle) – OUT
UTA
- John Collins (illness) – Questionable
- Walker Kessler (foot) – OUT
- Lauri Markkanen (hamstring) – OUT
Three Big Things
- Rebounding – Utah is one of the best rebounding teams in the league, especially on the offensive end. While I know that two of their bigs are out, rebounding is still that much of an issue for OKC that I feel it needs to be addressed. Utah is down two of their best players in Kessler and Markkanen. They don’t need any motivation/incentive to remain in striking distance in this game. Offensive rebounding could give them that.
- Turning them over – The Jazz are the fumbliest team in the league, leading the NBA in total turnovers and turnover percentage. Consequently, the Thunder are one of the best defenses and can turn defense to offense on a dime. It’s not that difficult. If both teams play their games, the Thunder will be more advantageous.
- Trap game potential – Great win at home the previous game. Some players a little banged up (SGA, Dort). Utah kinda sucks. This has trap-game written all over it.