Game 55: Oklahoma Thunder (19-33) @ Utah Jazz (40-14)

[Crunch 99]

ESPN GameDay link:
https://www.espn.com/nba/game/_/gameId/401307621

Game preview:
https://www.espn.com/nba/preview?gameId=401307621

Today's expected NBA lineups (all teams):
https://www.rotowire.com/basketball/nba-lineups.php

Expected Oklahoma/Utah lineups at time of this post (a fixed image from Rotowire):

[Crunch 99]

It is likely Conley will play considering he was reportedly out last night just for preventative injury management on a back to back set.

I hope the Jazz get shots for Bogey again and he has some carryover decent shooting percentage from last night's game.

Go Jazz!

[Crunch 99]

Over the last four games, Mitchell is averaging an incredible 40.5 ppg on 30.8 fga in 36.8 minutes of play. It's fun seeing Mitchell take his game to another level, but I hope Conley, Bogey and Ingles share the scoring load tonight. I hope the Jazz put away OKC early and Mitchell gets a little rest.

[ForeverRDjazz]

Last game Bogey played great other than little greedy not passing the ball enough. Mitchell wide open in fourth quarter crunch time and Bogey played hero ball with Mitchell wide open. Huge mistake. Cut the lead to 2 with about minute to go.

[FJS]

I'm really pissed. I should be excited, because we are the 1st seed and all, but I don't have a good feeling how this is going to end.
If conley was resting, without clarkson, it was a huge mistake. He should rest tonight, and not yesterday in a game with Westbrook and Beal.
Still, we were playing a bunch of nobodies yesterday. Because O'Neale, Niang, Oni, Thomas and Forrest are nobodies (in that order of importance) and we are one or two injuries to be a weak team.
Glad to see, in the other hand Mitchell raising his status. I think nobody doubts right now he is a consolidated all-star and in his way to be a superstar.

[ducler]

Read on Twitter

[Crunch 99]

So now Ingles (sore knee) and O'Neale (rest) are OUT. Clarkson is still listed as UNLIKELY GTD at time of this post. Conley is in.

[@ndrew]

Just give the ball to Bogey. He will save us

[red4hf]

This is the worst I have seen this team play in a long time......

[Jazzy13]

Feels like a preseason game.

[red4hf]

2nd half a complete 180.......

[Crunch 99]

A silver lining to the game was the 14 assist masterpiece by Mike Conley, albeit against relatively inexperienced competition. No Clarkson and Ingles combined with Mitchell being a bit tired following four games averaging 40 points likely got Conley more touches. I would like to see Conley handle the ball a bit more in the playoffs as well. Mitchell is capable of going nuclear like he did in the Denver series last season, but those individual one on one great performances are near impossible to sustain over a long playoff run.

[Crunch 99]

Harpring mentioned a few times that Brantley's defense looks serviceable.

[Crunch 99]

The Jazz now get a much-needed, rare two days off before the next game. Gobert and Bogey haven't taken a single game off this season. MItchell has only missed three games and recently expended a ton of energy to average 40 ppg over four games, so Gobert, Bogey and Mitchell will benefit from the extra day off.

Royce, Ingles and Clarkson can tack on the extra day off to the recent game or games they just missed, so all of our key players will be rested for the Friday/Saturday matchups against the Pacers and Lakers.

[Catchall]

Harpring mentioned a few times that Brantley's defense looks serviceable.

He can play a bit of a Jae Crowder role if he gets more reps.