Thunder on the Edge of Elimination After Losing in Game 4 Against the Jazz

The OKC Thunder is on the edge of elimination unless they pick things up in Game 5 of the playoff series against the Utah Jazz. The Thunder lost Monday night 113-96 in game 4 with the Jazz currently winning the series 3-1.

Donovan Mitchell puts up 33 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST to lead the @utahjazz to a 3-1 series lead! #TakeNote#NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/bNF0XcRkYP

— NBA (@NBA) April 24, 2018

Game 4

Oklahoma’s defense wasn’t strong enough to stop Utah Monday night. Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with 33 points to help bring his team to victory. Mitchell also added four assists and seven rebounds. Right behind him was Joe Ingles with 20 points, four assists and three rebounds.

https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/988657382124384257

However, it wasn’t all Utah. The Thunder started out the first half strong. They even led all of the first and most of the second quarter. It wasn’t until there was only 1:43 left in the second quarter when Joe Ingles made a 23-foot three point jumper to give the Jazz the first lead of the game (50-49.)

Thunder’s Russell Westbrook and his teammates were unable to finish on top and regain the lead. Thus, the Jazz led by six coming into the second half, 58-52.

OKCs head coach Billy Donovan says his team played weak offensively and had a lot of missed opportunities.

Nevertheless, Thunder’s Paul George still scored 32 points for his team adding two assists and six rebounds. Russell Westbrook was also hot for the Thunder, adding 23 points, three assists and 14 rebounds. Unfortunately for the Thunder, this was never enough to regain the lead in the second half and secure a win.

Coach Donovan says that by the fourth quarter his team dug themselves into a hole they just couldn’t get out of.

Tensions Rise

But the Thunder didn’t go out without a fight, somewhat literally. Things got heated between the two teams, which resulted in a total of seven technical fouls and almost one ejection. Thunder’s Westbrook was unhappy with Utah’s Ricky Rubio’s phenomenal game of 13 points, eight assists and six rebounds.

Consequently, sparks flew between the two players as Westbrook tried to stop Rubio from adding more baskets. Westbrook picked up his first foul by “accidentally” tripping Rubio and the tension remained between the two throughout the entire game.

In the end, it’s playoff time and emotions will rise no matter what.

https://twitter.com/utahjazz/status/988675302866927616

Up Next

Game 5 will be in Oklahoma City starting at 9:30 p.m. The game will be covered on NBATV.

PG finishes w/32 but Thunder falls to Jazz in Game 4. Back to OKC for number 5 Wed night in LOUD City. pic.twitter.com/NuYLJ1aB54

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 24, 2018