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SALT LAKE CITY — Opening the season at home against the Thunder offered Jazz fans their first regular season glimpse of the new-look home team that allowed both of its leading scorers to leave via free agency.
“Jazz tipoff. Life can now resume again,” tweeted @sethbrockbank.
“Jazz game > World Series,” tweeted @C_Dally.
Four new starters began the season on the court for Utah, including three players age 23 or younger.
“A new era in Jazz basketball starts now,” tweeted @DJBdarren.
It was obvious from the start that without Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap, this team had adapted a new style of offense that ran through Derrick Favors, who scored or assisted on each of the Jazz’s first 11 points.
Utah ran out to an early six-point lead after a sweet exchange between two of the young leaders.
“No look pass from Hayward to Favors for a dunk against OKC,” tweeted @spartybm.
Playing without Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City head coach Scott Brooks turned late in the first quarter to veteran Derek Fisher, who was welcomed back to Utah by unforgiving Jazz fans.
Though Utah was without its 2013 first-round draft pick, Trey Burke, spectators were introduced to a Frenchman who was also selected in the first round.
“Is it just me or is Rudy Gobert an actual nba player?” tweeted @aarow_smith.
Gobert’s height and reach lightened the burden to protect the rim on Derrick Favors, who continued to deny opposing attempts at the rim as he did last season.
“Derrick Favors out here swatting everything !!!” tweeted @10_deep.
More importantly, Favors was able to limit the Thunder’s points in the paint without fouling.
Favors wasn’t the only player wearing the J note to show off his progression made in the offseason.
Burks used a number of sensationally acrobatic up-and-unders to glide to the rim and score, eventually leading all Utah players on the night with 24 points.
Gordon Hayward picked up the early defensive assignment against Kevin Durant, but after picking up three quick fouls, head coach Ty Corbin gave D-League journeyman Mike Harris his first opportunity in Utah.
“Mike Harris vs Kevin Durrant, the match made in heaven,” tweeted @jarommoore.
The resounding initial reaction was one of confusion.
“Who is Mike Harris?” tweeted @UtahJazzTime.
Harris wasn’t limited to merely a defensive role as he scored 13 big points, including a strong finish in the lane just moments after getting on the floor.
The game was close throughout the first half with the Jazz trailing 57-48 at the intermission, but the Thunder were able to open up their largest lead of the game in the third, thanks to numerous turnovers by the hosts.
Burks came to the rescue, scoring 13 of the Jazz’s next 16 points to cut a 15-point deficit in half.
Burks’ converted a three-point play from the line to cut the lead to six early in the fourth, before Mike Harris ripped off the next five Utah points to pull the Jazz within three.
“Mike Harris is about to steal that Hayward extension,” tweeted @saltcityhoops.
The Jazz pulled within one after a steal and two free throws from Burks, and after fouling the Thunder to get the ball back on separate occasions and a Burks dunk, Hayward took the in-bounds pass in the backcourt and heaved a 28-footer as time expired.
Hayward’s buzzer beater rattled in and out and Utah dropped its opener 101-98. In the end, what did the Jazz in was too much Durant, who ended the night with 22 made free throws and 42 points.
“Kevin Durant has made 20 free throws tonight. The Grizzlies and Spurs combined to make 19,” tweeted @peteredmiston.Kyle Spencer is a ksl.com intern. He is studying journalism at Utah Valley University and is the sports editor of the UVU Review. Follow him on twitter @kyledspencer.
