Utah Jazz vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction: Decimated Jazz takes on desperate Thunder

We are heading toward the Postseason in the NBA but before that, the Regular Season’s last few parts are going to decide which teams finish in the top six and which ones from seventh to tenth positions. In a decisive game to the effect, the Utah Jazz is going to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Jazz comes into the game after losing 133:135 in Overtime against the Los Angeles Lakers in a game where Kelly Olynyk had 23 points and three assists. The Jazz has lost three in a row and seven losses in the last eight games. With 36 wins and 43 losses, the Jazz’s chances for the Play-in tournament have disappeared considering they are without their leading scorers. The Jazz began in an emphatic fashion but a bunch of closes throughout the season derailed their progress. Lauri Markkanen had a career year and looks favorite for the Most Improved Player. Maybe the team can build something special alongside him.

The Thunder enter the affair after losing 125:136 against the Lakers despite a 32 points and seven assists performance by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder has lost three in a row and five out of their last seven games. Oklahoma City has been derailed but the poor form of Mavs has also aided them to an extent. Both the Thunder is tied at 42 losses and 38 wins and the fight is likely to reach the last day. Shai has been putting in mind-boggling numbers, averaging over 30 points while getting huge help from youngsters around him, but the team’s defense has been below par many times.

• Jazz: OUT: Walker Kessler, Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton, Rudy Gay;
• Thunder: OUT: Aleksej Pokusevski, Kenrich Williams, Chet Holmgren. QUESTIONABLE: Luguentz Dort.

The Thunder need to get going now because a loss here can open up a big chance for the Mavs to sneak in that hotly contested 10th spot. The Jazz don’t have anything to lose and they will have a second-string squad so they will be relaxed. Anyway, I expect the Thunder to win here and predict a scoreline of 128:123 in favor of Oklahoma City.