SALT LAKE CITY, UT – DECEMBER 23: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz hug after the game on December 23, 2017 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder will begin their first-round playoff series on Sunday afternoon. At what positions do the Jazz have the upper hand over the star-studded Thunder squad heading into the playoffs?
Between the fourth-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder and the fifth-seeded Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City easily boasts the more star-studded lineup, including the series’ best player in Russell Westbrook. The Jazz, however, have distinct advantages in a number of crucial areas heading into their first-round date with the Thunder.
With Game 1 just two days away, how does each team’s starting lineup, bench unit and coaching staff matchup? The results might surprise you.
For this comparison, we will look at each team’s expected starting unit as well as both teams’ bench performance over the entire 2017-2018 regular season. While the players listed may not necessarily play head-to-head the entire series, it will give us a good idea of where both teams stack up.
Let’s get right to it…
pic.twitter.com/tmzYlbsbo7
<p>— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://twitter.com/okcthunder/status/984501627330506753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>April 12, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>While Mitchell’s ceiling may project to be even higher than George’s, the rookie will have to wait his turn. George is still a premier talent in this league and should give Utah problems on both ends of the floor throughout the series.</p>
<p>OKC’s starting backcourt takes the 2-0 sweep.</p>
<p><strong>Advantage: OKC</strong></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Small Forward </a>
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<h3>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-68346" src=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F04%2F942466586-los-angeles-lakers-v-utah-jazz.jpg-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 03: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz looks to pass the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers in a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 3, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joe Ingles</p>
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<h3>SF: Joe Ingles vs. Corey Brewer</h3>
<p>This is where the tides begin to turn for the Jazz.</p>
<p>Despite suffering a sprained knee in OKC’s season finale against Memphis, <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/breweco01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 ref="nofollow">Corey Brewer</a> is expected to play in Game 1 against the Jazz.</p>
<p>Brewer has really played well in his increased role with OKC in relief of the injured <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/roberan03.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Andre Roberson</a>. While he is not a game changer, Brewer does enough to help make sure all of the Thunder’s other pieces work well together.</p>
<p>His physicality will be key in a series that promises to be a knock-down, drag-out event.</p>
<p><a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/inglejo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 ref="nofollow">Joe Ingles</a>, similarly, acts as an anchor for his squad.</p>
<p>Ingles’ experience and consistency on both ends of the floor will be crucial to Utah’s chances. His ability to open up the floor with his 44 percent three-point shooting will be huge for the Jazz. Consistent outside shooting should provide Mitchell with some much-needed lanes to get easy, confidence-building buckets.</p>
<p>After a few recent “highlights”, Ingles also appears to believe he has improved in his above the rim play…</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Joe Ingles rocking a new shirt after his dunk yesterday <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://t.co/04v64HUfha">pic.twitter.com/04v64HUfha
<p>— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://twitter.com/kylegoon/status/983393483212767232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>April 9, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Mr. DunkLife himself has also become Utah’s best passer as of late. Ingles is second on the team with 4.8 assists per game and has averaged over seven per game since the beginning of April. Seriously, what CAN’T Joe do?</p>
<p>(Insert coffee cup emoji here).</p>
<p>All jokes aside, Ingles’ all-around game and consistency should be a steadying force for a young Jazz squad.</p>
<p><strong>Advantage: UTAH</strong></p>
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<h3>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-67824" src=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F03%2F937941248-utah-jazz-v-golden-state-warriors.jpg-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">OAKLAND, CA – MARCH 25: Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz shoots a free throw during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 25, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>PF: Derrick Favors vs. Carmelo Anthony</h3>
<p>This was far and away the most difficult matchup to decide between on these two teams.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>I don’t know if it’s the homer in me or my genuine belief that<a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/favorde01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 ref="nofollow"> Derrick Favors</a> is going to elevate his play this postseason, but I’m riding with Faves over Melo here.</p>
<p>Sunday will mark <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/anthoca01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 ref="nofollow">Carmelo Anthony</a>‘s first playoff game in five years, however, he is far from the player he used to be when making postseason appearances. Anthony knew he was going to have to defer to both Westbrook and George when he joined the Thunder last offseason and his numbers reflect that.</p>
<p>Favors, however, appears to be healthy and primed to show up big time in this postseason. Favors played a crucial role in Utah’s series victory over the Clippers last year. I, for one, am excited to see what a healthy Favors can do in the playoffs.</p>
<p>While Favors’ offensive statistics might not be on the level of Melo’s, his ability to affect the game on both ends of the court gives him the upper hand. Favors’ game translates well to postseason success.</p>
<p>D-Faves has been a quiet game changer all season long – expect more of the same as the stakes get higher.</p>
<p><strong>Advantage: UTAH</strong></p>
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<h3>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-68348" src=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F04%2F945836354-utah-jazz-v-portland-trail-blazers.jpg-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 11: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on April 11, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>C: Rudy Gobert vs. Steven Adams</h3>
<p>Many see <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/adamsst01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 ref="nofollow">Steven Adams</a> as <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/goberru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 ref="nofollow">Rudy Gobert</a>‘s kryptonite.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Everyone, including myself, kept saying Steven Adams gives Rudy Gobert problems… I wanted to make sure that was true. Here are his last three season averages compared to the games vs OKC. Not great… <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://t.co/7Ov6AQkD98">pic.twitter.com/7Ov6AQkD98
<p>— Spencer Wixom (@JazzJargon) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://twitter.com/JazzJargon/status/984583555484270592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>April 13, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Whether that is true or not, Gobert is an All-NBA level player and impacts the game defensively as much as any player in this league.</p>
<p>Entering the season, the Thunder’s “big three” was considered to be Westbrook, George and Carmelo. Adams, however, may be more deserving of the recognition than Anthony. He has been a force on both ends all season long.</p>
<p>While Rudy has struggled offensively against physical bigs such as Adams, I don’t see that being much of a factor here.</p>
<p>Utah benefits greatly from Rudy’s offensive efficiency, however, they are not as reliant on his scoring as they are his rim protection.</p>
<p>Adams is good. Gobert is elite.</p>
<p><strong>Advantage: UTAH</strong></p>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-68349" src=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F04%2F943509468-utah-jazz-v-los-angeles-lakers.jpg-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 8: Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz and Referee Sean Corbin looks on during the Utah Jazz v Los Angeles Lakers game on April 8, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Man</p>
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<h3>Bench</h3>
<p>Do second units even matter in the postseason? Of course they do. While the rotations tend to tighten up as the playoffs begin, depth gives your team options and flexibility.</p>
<p>Neither team boasts an elite bench unit, however, bench play can be the shot in the arm that lifts a team to a surprise win in a tough playoff series.</p>
<p>Let’s take a quick look at both unit’s performance during the regular season…</p>
<p>OKC’s bench ranks 29th in scoring, averaging 26.4 points per game.</p>
<p>Utah is 17th, adding 34.9 points per game.</p>
<p>In terms of plus-minus, OKC is an even 0.0. That is good enough for 13th in the NBA.</p>
<p>Utah’s bench, by comparison, ranks fifth in the league with a plus-1.0 average plus-minus.</p>
<p>Another factor to consider is the fact that Utah’s bench has gotten noticeably better over the season’s second half. Not only did the unit add <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/crowdja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jae Crowder</a>‘s 9.7 points per game, they also got <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/exumda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Dante Exum</a> back from injury. Both players look primed to be heavy contributors to Utah’s playoff run.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Craig Bolerjack: Jazz bench & coaching a real advantage vs the Thunder <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://t.co/6NrGXd265I">https://t.co/6NrGXd265I
<p>— 1280 The Zone (@1280sports) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://twitter.com/1280sports/status/984895071001526272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>April 13, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Again, the advantage goes to the Jazz. And this one doesn’t feel all that close.</p>
<p><strong>Advantage: UTAH </strong></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Coaching </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-68350" src=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F04%2F944476288-golden-state-warriors-v-utah-jazz.jpg-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 10: Head coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz looks on in the first half of a game against the Golden State Warriors at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 10, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Coaching: Quin Snyder vs. Billy Donovan</h3>
<p><a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/donovbi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 ref="nofollow">Billy Donovan</a> has proven to be a fine coach in the NBA, but c’mon… Is there even reason to debate this one?</p>
<p>What Quin Snyder has done this year with the Jazz is simply remarkable.</p>
<p>The following tweets speak for themselves…</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">NBA AllStars in playoffs:</p>
<p>HOU: Harden<br>GSW: KD, Steph, Green, Klay<br>POR: Dame<br>OKC: Westbrook, PG<br>UTA:<br>NO: AD, Cousins<br>SA: LA<br>MIN: Butler, KAT</p>
<p>TOR: Lowry, DeRozan<br>BOS: Kyrie, Horford<br>PHI: Embiid<br>CLE: LBJ, Love<br>IND: Oladipo<br>MIA: Dragic<br>MIL: Giannis<br>WAS: Wall, Beal</p>
<p>Quin Snyder <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/COY?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#COY</a></p>
<p>— Tavan Parker (@TavanParker) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://twitter.com/TavanParker/status/984619843721748480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>April 13, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">To all voters who have not submitted yet may I promote Quin Snyder for a moment. </p>
<p>The Jazz offensive rating and defensive rating is better than the Celtics offensive rating and defensive rating. </p>
<p>West>East<br>Rosters?<a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/quinforcoachoftheyear?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#quinforcoachoftheyear</a> <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://t.co/wYwtYRMY1C">pic.twitter.com/wYwtYRMY1C
<p>— David Locke (@Lockedonsports) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://twitter.com/Lockedonsports/status/984107450780475397?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>April 11, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rudy Gobert and other Jazz players tell <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://twitter.com/_JohnGonz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@_johngonz about how Quin Snyder helped save a doomed season after a bad loss in Atlanta <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://t.co/h4QjywN99z">https://t.co/h4QjywN99z
<p>— The Ringer (@ringer) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://twitter.com/ringer/status/983650808821665792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>April 10, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">There are so many wonderful coaching jobs being done this season in the NBA, but none has been better than the one Quin Snyder has done with the Jazz.</p>
<p>— Mike Lupica (@MikeLupica) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://twitter.com/MikeLupica/status/983903789638979585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>April 11, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>To put things in perspective, I was worried about a San Antonio matchup based solely on one factor – Gregg Popovich. Coach Pop has proven that he can give his team a chance to win, no matter the talent level on his roster. He is simply that good.</p>
<p>I am starting to feel the exact same way about Snyder. He truly has become one of the league’s best coaches. The Jazz are fortunate to have him.</p>
<p>Utah not only gets an edge in the coaching matchup because of Quin, I strongly believe he is the major difference in the series as well.</p>
<p><strong>Advantage: UTAH</strong></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Totals </a>
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<h3>
</h3><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_68351" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-68351" src=https://thejnotes.com/2018/04/13/utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-upper-hand-position/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F04%2F940970212-memphis-grizzlies-v-utah-jazz.jpg-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MARCH 30: Thabo Sefolosha #22 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz celebrate and walks off the court after the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 30, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Totals:</h3>
<table class="tg" style="height: 268px" width="652">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th class="tg-yw4l" style="text-align: left">Pos.</th>
<th class="tg-yw4l" style="text-align: left">Utah</th>
<th class="tg-yw4l" style="text-align: left">OKC</th>
<th class="tg-yw4l" style="text-align: left">Adv.</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-yw4l">PG</td>
<td class="tg-yw4l">R. Rubio</td>
<td class="tg-yw4l">R. Westbrook</td>
<td class="tg-yw4l">OKC</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-yw4l">SG</td>
<td class="tg-yw4l">D. Mitchell</td>
<td class="tg-yw4l">P. George</td>
<td class="tg-yw4l">OKC</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-yw4l">SF</td>
<td class="tg-yw4l">J. Ingles</td>
<td class="tg-yw4l">C. Brewer</td>
<td class="tg-yw4l">UTAH</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-yw4l">PF</td>
<td class="tg-yw4l">D. Favors</td>
<td class="tg-yw4l">C. Anthony</td>
<td class="tg-yw4l">UTAH</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-yw4l">C</td>
<td class="tg-yw4l">R. Gobert</td>
<td class="tg-yw4l">S. Adams</td>
<td class="tg-yw4l">UTAH</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-yw4l">Coach</td>
<td class="tg-yw4l">Q. Snyder</td>
<td class="tg-yw4l">D. Donovan</td>
<td class="tg-yw4l">UTAH</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-yw4l">Bench</td>
<td class="tg-yw4l">34.9 ppg (#17)</td>
<td class="tg-yw4l">26.4 ppg (#29)</td>
<td class="tg-yw4l">UTAH</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2><strong>UTAH</strong> – 5</h2>
<h2>OKC – 2</h2>
<p>Despite the Jazz taking the head-to-head matchups by a score of 5-2, don’t expect this series to be easy for the Jazz.</p>
<p>Westbrook alone can carry the load at times for the Thunder. Utah will have to play excellent basketball to match OKC’s potent backcourt and their surprising ability to defend.</p>
<p>However, with Quin and Rudy leading the way, I like Utah’s chances.</p>
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