When the calendar flips to April, all 30 NBA teams can fit into two contrasting categories. Either the final two weeks are a fast race to the finish line or their foot lifts off the gas pedal to relax before the playoffs. OKC and Utah both fit in the latter category for polar opposite reasons.
As both teams had lengthy injury reports with their best players out, the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the Utah Jazz in a 145-111 win. Several franchise and individual records were set in this glorified scrimmage. OKC got out of it with more rest ahead of the playoffs and Utah got out of it with the NBA's worst record with a game left.
Even though this was a game between both teams' second-string and third-string players, the Thunder quickly showed why they have the best depth in the league compared to the Jazz as they journey through a rebuild.
The Thunder led wire-to-wire. They built a 46-34 lead after the first quarter. Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe quickly took advantage of the vacuum of scoring looks. Both crossed double-digit points after the first frame. That'd be enough for them on most nights.
Entering the second quarter, the Thunder continued to control the game. Ajay Mitchell returned after a three-month absence and they scored 27 points in the frame. OKC entered halftime with a commanding 73-58 advantage after Joe drilled in a deep 3-pointer at the buzzer.
If the Jazz wanted to get back into it, they needed to score points quickly. To their credit, they did that out of the halftime break with a hot stretch from the outside. A 20-5 run got them to just an 11-point deficit with two minutes left in the third frame as Svi Mykhailiuk mimicked a microwave scorer.
Alas, that proved the closest Utah would get to the scoreboard the rest of the way. The Thunder finished with 34 points in the third quarter and held a 107-89 lead. The only drama left is if Jaylin Williams would record his third triple-double of the season.
Once he did, OKC would've likely cleared its bench if it had one to clear. It only had nine available players. The Thunder scored 38 points in the fourth quarter and led by as many as 38 points. The helpless Jazz continued to rack up losses to help their lottery odds.
The Thunder shot 56% from the field and went 24-of-53 (45.3%) from 3. They shot 9-of-13 on free throws. They had 41 assists on 56 baskets. Five Thunder players scored double-digit points.
Wiggins finished with an efficient 35 points. Joe scored 32 points and made a career-best 10 3-pointers. Williams recorded a 15-point triple-double. Kenrich Williams had 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Adam Flagler scored 17 points off the bench.
Meanwhile, the Jazz shot 38% from the field and went 17-of-63 (27%) from 3. They shot 16-of-20 on free throws. They had 23 assists on 39 baskets. Six Jazz players scored double-digit points.
Mykhailiuk led the way with 27 points on 10-of-20 shooting off the bench. Brice Sensabaugh had 25 points on 7-of-17 shooting, six assists and five rebounds. Kyle Filipowski had a 15-point and 13-rebound double-double. Keyonte George finished with 12 points and eight assists. Johnny Juzang scored 16 ...
