WCQF: P1 | (4) OKC Thunder vs Utah Jazz (5) | Utah wins 4-2

[erudite23]

I'm pretty confident that the Jazz take this in 5. Might stretch it out to 6, but I would be legitimately surprised if the Thunder won the series. This Thunder team is poorly constructed, don't really seem to like each other and Westbrook is one of the most overrated players of his generation. I think their best shot at winning is if PG goes nuts. Otherwise we're talking a bunch of Westbrook isos leading to terrible shots.

[blind prophet]

Gobert's defense is the key here. Jazz in 6

Had to think about this one for awhile, but Russell is going to have some trouble getting into the lanes. Think OKC may get blown out a couple of times but they've got enough talent to take 2.

[xfactor]

There are way more people confident in the Jazz and their chances then I am. And they are my team.

OKC is a terrible match up for us. I think OKC takes it in 5. I'd be shocked at any other outcome.

As far as I'm concerned, that confidence is warranted, based on the repeated beatings behind the woodshed your team administered to my Dubs. The complete and utter dismantling was scary.

[Soulcatcher33]

Thunder in 6.

[oldschooled]

Whos is favoured by the oddsmakers and experts here?

If the Jazz are healthy I expect them to win. Team ball > isoball

OKC is a small favorite.

OKC to win series, -140
Jazz to win series, +122

This will be a grind it out type of game with good perimeter defense to front Westbrook and George. Gun to my head, i'll take OKC here in 7. Just too much uncertainty on Mitchell in the playoffs. Jazz really messed up on the HCA imo. They literally have one of the best HCA in the history of the NBA.

[Merc_Porto]

Looks like fans think this is a close one. Probably the best matchup of the first round.
Most analytics pick OKC.

I thinks OKC wins this in 6/7 but i also hope i'm wrong.

[Catchall]

Jazz should be able to manufacture shots, but they have to make them. It's going to be interesting.

[PharmD]

Rudy's offense isn't any worse than Adams, but I'm a Jazz fan that doesn't catch enough Thunder games. I've seen Rudy expand his offense a little bit, and even on occasion he's hit jump shots.

He was 1 of 10 on jumpers this year. Probably shouldn't have made that plural.

[KingCurry]

Westbrook o/u 40% shooting for the series?

[Winglish]

Meh, the Thunder beat the Jazz twice without Rudy Gobert. So did everybody else. Remember when the Jazz were 8 games out of the playoffs when Rudy came back from injury? Look at them now. #differencemaker

The Jazz are going to win this match-up.

[PharmD]

There are way more people confident in the Jazz and their chances then I am. And they are my team.

OKC is a terrible match up for us. I think OKC takes it in 5. I'd be shocked at any other outcome.

As far as I'm concerned, that confidence is warranted, based on the repeated beatings behind the woodshed your team administered to my Dubs. The complete and utter dismantling was scary.

Yeah, but as they say in boxing "styles make fights" and OKC is kind of perfectly constructed to give the Jazz trouble.

[GreenRiddler]

OKC getting pretty lucky tbh, Jazz-Rockets is the best playoff path they could wish for. I think they're going to the WCF.

The only way things could have worked out better would be facing the Warriors in the 1st round while Curry is still out (or have someone eliminate GSW, which I don't think Spurs will do)

You think playing the Rockets and warriors make you lucky, you just listed 3/7 possible opponents. Are you saying the Blazers Pelicans Wolves and Spurs are more dangerous?

[getrichordie]

OKC have way more proven playoff players than the Jazz. Gotta go with them, but regardless, going to be a good series.

My thoughts exactly. I honestly do not think the Jazz have enough scoring. Both teams will defend the spit out of each other, so @ the end of the day, it comes down to better offense and I think the Thunder just have a higher ceiling on that end of the floor. Westbrook, George, and Anthony finally figure it out and ride that sense of urgency to victory over the Utah Jazz.

[Catchall]

Things to watch if you're a Jazz fan:

Joe Ingles, Jae Crowder and Royce O'Neale guarding Paul George

Derrick Favors getting out to contest Melo

Rudy Gobert and Steven Adams rebounding battle

Who guards Donovan Mitchell if Corey Brewer isn't 100%, PG? Westbrook?

Can Mitchell match 80% of Westbrook's scoring?

How many times does Dante Exum blow by Ray Felton and Alex Abrines?

How many times are the Jazz going to go at Carmelo in pick-and-roll?

Can Westbrook find a path all the way to the rim to challenge Gobert?

Do we get the Steve Nash version of Ricky Rubio?

[Reckless]

This is a shot taking/making league, I just wonder if the jazz can consistently make the shots to keep pace with OKC. Mitchell is a great player but think his lack of playoff experience will show up unfortunately. Also the jazz have struggled getting rebounds at the end of close games, that's one thing OKC does extremely well.

[theonlyclutch]

The series might very well depend on which PG13 shows up. With Gobert roaming the paint getting to the rim for OKC would be a tough tough task, therefore OKCs offense needs perimeter shots to fall. With Post-break PG13 OKC will have a tough tough time scoring (and likely lose in 6) if UTA doesn't respect his shot enough. If he channels Currys 3-point shooting (pre-break) that series becomes much more in OKCs favor.

[Catchall]

The elephant in the living room is that Westbrook and PG13 can be unstoppable when they're on.

[ewingfung]

I believe Melo needs to be scoring 20+ each game for OKC to win this series.

[jonjames]

OKC have way more proven playoff players than the Jazz. Gotta go with them, but regardless, going to be a good series.

My thoughts exactly. I honestly do not think the Jazz have enough scoring. Both teams will defend the spit out of each other, so @ the end of the day, it comes down to better offense and I think the Thunder just have a higher ceiling on that end of the floor. Westbrook, George, and Anthony finally figure it out and ride that sense of urgency to victory over the Utah Jazz.

The Thuner are not a good defensive team. The Jazz are elite on that end. I can easily see all 3 of Westbrook, George, and Melo shooting below their season averages for the series.

[ISayshowmee]

Defense defense defense !!! I expect the Jazz to make Melo disappear in this series. Westbrook will ear his stats in this series. Jazz in 6 !!