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SALT LAKE CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder, facing a 2-1 series disadvantage, having to win Game 4 in Salt Lake City or risk going back to Oklahoma City with a daunting 3-1 deficit, decided their best way to eliminate the Utah Jazz’s series advantage was to up the physicality of the matchup. They were in for a rude awakening.
Though the physical play seemed to initially stun the young Jazz, finding themselves with a 30-24 deficit after one quarter, the Jazz quickly bounced back by matching the physicality of the Thunder and taking a six-point lead of their own into the half.
Russell Westbrook, the Thunder’s All-Star point guard, who made a personal guarantee to slow Jazz point guard Ricky Rubio after a triple-double performance in Game 3, picked up four first-half fouls, all against Rubio, and was unable to retain his aggressive play in the game’s second half.
The Jazz ran away from the Thunder in the third quarter, and won Game 4 113-96. The Jazz now own a 3-1 series lead over the higher-seeded Thunder, and will look to close out the series on Wednesday night.
The most impressive aspect of the Jazz's victory was not the lopsided final score, but their ability to match the Thunder’s physicality, led by All-Stars Westbrook and Paul George. On multiple occasions throughout the game, the Jazz willingly engaged in on-court scuffles, leading to seven technical fouls, including the ejection of Jae Crowder in the fourth quarter. In addition to Crowder, Jazz coach Quin Snyder, Rudy Gobert and Joe Ingles all picked up technical fouls.
🎥| @spidadmitchell set a new Jazz rookie single-game scoring record tonight with 33 points.
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 24, 2018
Karl Malone had 31 in 1986.#TakeNotepic.twitter.com/ku9KFELExM
The Jazz's willingness to answer the contentious bell was an earmark of their late season play, which saw them overcome a nine-game-under .500 record to finding themselves on the precipice of a second consecutive first-round series win, over the higher-seeded Thunder. The fight shown by the Jazz is an encouraging cultural development for such a young roster, the sixth youngest in the playoffs.
While the Jazz were forced to react to the physical nature of the Thunder, it may be a trait they want to hold onto both as the playoffs progress, and as they continue to build their reputation as contenders in the Western Conference. As a younger roster, showing an ability and willingness to adapt, or better yet set the tone for a playoff series, can prove to be an identity to develop around.
Game 5 should once again prove to be a physical contest, as the Thunder will look to avoid losing their fourth straight game in the series, and going into the offseason on a disappointing note. George has a one-year player option on his contract to remain with the Thunder, but will undoubtedly opt out of his contract and explore opportunities around the league. Should the Jazz eliminate the Thunder in such swift fashion, George's perception of his opportunity to win may dissipate rapidly.
Much like they did against Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan in the Los Angeles Clippers, the Jazz could play an integral role in breaking up what was once thought to be a dominant three-man contender in the Western Conference.
