The NBA Cup has been met with trepidation from some fans.
How does it work? Why does it matter? Do the games actually count? If you are your family’s resident NBA expert, I’m sure you’ve been asked all of these questions. Whether or not the players or fans really care about the NBA Cup has yet to be determined, but the Oklahoma City Thunder sure looked like it cared Tuesday night against the Utah Jazz.
After falling behind early, OKC jumped on Utah and ran away with the game, eventually spacing the lead beyond 30 points. In the end, the Thunder closed out the Jazz 133-106 behind a record-setting defensive performance.
All season long, OKC has been the best in the NBA at forcing turnovers. It took that strength and built upon it against Utah, forcing 29 turnovers and using them to generate easy chances in the fastbreak. Lu Dort, Ajay Mitchell, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe were the biggest beneficiaries of OKC’s transition offense. OKC’s bushel of role players all hit at least one three, with many of them coming open in transition.
When OKC is at its best, it is because it is turning active and swarming defense into turnovers and letting its young legs get out and run and Tuesday was a perfect example of that.
While easy buckets benefited OKC’s role players, Shai Gillgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams also slotted into their typical roles.
OKC’s star duo combined for 54 points and 12 assists and led the charge on the defensive end with three steals each.
OKC’s dominant win over the Jazz was a good response to a heartbreaking loss to the Houston Rockets over the weekend. Sometimes, a loss at the end of a hard-fought road trip can demoralize a team — needless to say, that wasn’t the case with OKC.
Utah is far from the toughest test the Thunder will face this season, but blowing out an NBA team that is playing most of its best players is never easy, especially after a slow start. OKC’s ability to serve as the basketball version of a Boa Constrictor is one of its most unique abilities and Utah found out what can happen when you let the Thunder get going firsthand.
Next up for the Thunder is the Raptors, who come to Oklahoma City on Thursday. Toronto hasn’t struggled quite as much as Utah, but it is still a game that OKC should win.
When it comes to the NBA Cup, OKC is still waiting to find out where it stands, but it did its best to earn a spot in the knockout round against Utah.
