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

[dr0welf]

Jazz play strongly as a team, if they are making their shots, they are extremely tough to beat.
But they tend to have games, similar to the Portland game where they can't hit an open shot. Luckily they haven't lost back to back games since the 11 games before all star break. The offense just creates open shots.

Westbrook is a stud and can single handedly will his team to a win. He's going to need to go beast mode to win.

Will be a fun series. Jazz in 6

[Catchall]

Jazz play strongly as a team, if they are making their shots, they are extremely tough to beat.
But they tend to have games, similar to the Portland game where they can't hit an open shot. Luckily they haven't lost back to back games since the 11 games before all star break. The offense just creates open shots.

Westbrook is a stud and can single handedly will his team to a win. He's going to need to go beast mode to win.

Will be a fun series. Jazz in 6

True. But 4 wins? He's a superstar to be sure, but he's never won a series without Durant.

[hype_2004]

Gobert will be the difference maker in this series. This will go right down to the wire, right down to the final game, final quarter, final minute and possibly final shot, 7 game barnburner.

[M2J]

Utah forces a lot of mid range shots with their defense. They chase players off the 3pt line, and have great rim protection. The Thunder happen to have 3, maybe 4 with Adams (if you count that flip shot from about 8 feet out) mid range scorers, that happen to prefer that shot.

To be honest. On paper, I just can't see Utah winning this series or pushing it to 7.

Utah has been playing great. Well coached teams, with great systems, and lesser talent do extremely well in the regular season. That is exactly why the postseason is a different animal. I think we're going to see that with the Heat/ Celtics (unless one of those 2 youngsters show just how talented they are)/ and Utah. Best players usually win a series, because you can focus only on one team and have time to recover and prepare. Very difficult to actually figure out great talent, as they have different ways of beating you and can adjust.

[Pillendreher]

Jazz play strongly as a team, if they are making their shots, they are extremely tough to beat.
But they tend to have games, similar to the Portland game where they can't hit an open shot. Luckily they haven't lost back to back games since the 11 games before all star break. The offense just creates open shots.

Westbrook is a stud and can single handedly will his team to a win. He's going to need to go beast mode to win.

Will be a fun series. Jazz in 6

True. But 4 wins? He's a superstar to be sure, but he's never won a series without Durant.

That's based on one series they were winning with him on the floor. After the 1st game spanking, they had a +13 NetRtG with him on the floor and a -63 (!!!!) NetRtG with him off the floor. Can't fault him for what happens when he rests, even if it's just for 5 minutes a game.

[laika]

Utah forces a lot of mid range shots with their defense. They chase players off the 3pt line, and have great rim protection. The Thunder happen to have 3, maybe 4 with Adams (if you count that flip shot from about 8 feet out) mid range scorers, that happen to prefer that shot.

To be honest. On paper, I just can't see Utah winning this series or pushing it to 7.

Utah has been playing great. Well coached teams, with great systems, and lesser talent do extremely well in the regular season. That is exactly why the postseason is a different animal. I think we're going to see that with the Heat/ Celtics (unless one of those 2 youngsters show just how talented they are)/ and Utah. Best players usually win a series, because you can focus only on one team and have time to recover and prepare. Very difficult to actually figure out great talent, as they have different ways of beating you and can adjust.

I think that the superstars always win narrative is pretty oversold. First of all, Westbrook isn't close to being on the same level as Lebron. OKC has a proven history of playoff failure. Second, after the Roberson injury Utah has been massively better than OKC, not just a little better.
The gap is so great that I predict that Utah will overcome any gap in experience/star power. I guess we'll see though.

[RunOKC]

Jazz play strongly as a team, if they are making their shots, they are extremely tough to beat.
But they tend to have games, similar to the Portland game where they can't hit an open shot. Luckily they haven't lost back to back games since the 11 games before all star break. The offense just creates open shots.

Westbrook is a stud and can single handedly will his team to a win. He's going to need to go beast mode to win.

Will be a fun series. Jazz in 6

True. But 4 wins? He's a superstar to be sure, but he's never won a series without Durant.

There's only been one series, and OKC was clearly the lesser team. If he can't get it done this season with George/Adams/Melo then he deserves the criticism.

Can't wait for tonight. Go Thunder and Goodluck to Utah Fans

[dukes_wild]

To me this should be the easiest "upset" to bet on.

The Jazz are a fierce team with a bunch of smart players who can play both ends of the floor, while OKC has talent, but has some extremely flawed parts of their game and really only have 2 or 3 "two way" players.

[CptCrunch]

Gobert is gonna wreck Westbrook's life.

We all know Westbrook can't shoot jumpers. If he has to drive a dozen times, it won't end well. Won't be surprised if DoMi outplays Westbrook in the series.

[hardenASG13]

Gobert is gonna wreck Westbrook's life.

We all know Westbrook can't shoot jumpers. If he has to drive a dozen times, it won't end well. Won't be surprised if DoMi outplays Westbrook in the series.

I agree, if Gobert is making life miserable for Westbrook inside, OKC may have to pull adams and play grant or patterson at the 5 to draw him out of the lane.

[sonictecture]

Gobert is gonna wreck Westbrook's life.

We all know Westbrook can't shoot jumpers. If he has to drive a dozen times, it won't end well. Won't be surprised if DoMi outplays Westbrook in the series.

This scenario would go along way into creating Gobert and Mitchell as superstar players in the league.

There is some statistical evidence that Westbrook goes to the rim less often when Gobert is in the game. Some of the ways the Thunder have countered the presence of Gobert is to extend the starting point of the pick and roll, forcing Gobert to cover more ground. The primary strategy is to make Gobert defend in space by creating space. Gobert chasing Adams or Westbrook to the rim is better for the Thunder than Gobert waiting at the rim in help defense. If the Thunder are hitting their jumpers it becomes easier.

There has been a lot of talk about slowing down Mitchell, but the player I'd be looking to slow down is Ingles. Play him physical use length in the passing lanes to try and create turnovers and fast breaks. Don't allow his outside shooting to open things up for others.

[TrustFundBaby]

Utah can't handle Playoffs Paul George. OKC in 5.

[Pillendreher]

There has been a lot of talk about slowing down Mitchell, but the player I'd be looking to slow down is Ingles. Play him physical use length in the passing lanes to try and create turnovers and fast breaks. Don't allow his outside shooting to open things up for others.

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[KqWIN]

Utah forces a lot of mid range shots with their defense. They chase players off the 3pt line, and have great rim protection. The Thunder happen to have 3, maybe 4 with Adams (if you count that flip shot from about 8 feet out) mid range scorers, that happen to prefer that shot.

To be honest. On paper, I just can't see Utah winning this series or pushing it to 7.

Utah has been playing great. Well coached teams, with great systems, and lesser talent do extremely well in the regular season. That is exactly why the postseason is a different animal. I think we're going to see that with the Heat/ Celtics (unless one of those 2 youngsters show just how talented they are)/ and Utah. Best players usually win a series, because you can focus only on one team and have time to recover and prepare. Very difficult to actually figure out great talent, as they have different ways of beating you and can adjust.

These are the percentages for those 3 mid range scorers. The Jazz would love to take their chances with these percentages.

[lilroddyb]

I really hope that Jazz end up winning this series but it's going to be really tough and I think OKC has the better chance to win

I like both teams just sucks that they had to meet up so early

[Catchall]

Looks like Corey Brewer is going to play and start. He was limited in practice yesterday.

[Tigersrule]

So ready for this...Lets go OKC

[shmoosicle]

This is the series I'm most looking forward to in the first round. I think it will be really competitive but I think the Jazz win this.

[oken]

Be prepared for the hate posts if PG13 does not live up to the "Playoff Paul George" expectations after Dipo's torching of the Cavs.

[Kabookalu]

I'm actually excited to see playoff Paul George again.