2018 NBA Playoffs: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz Game 2 live stream: Watch online
By Jason Patt
After Paul George spurred them to victory in Game 1, the Oklahoma City Thunder will try to take a commanding 2-0 series lead against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.
Before the postseason began, Oklahoma City Thunder star Paul George coined a new nickname for his playoff persona: “Playoff P.” Playoff P showed up in a big way with 36 points in the Thunder’s 116-108 Game 1 victory over the Utah Jazz.
George was unconscious from all over the court, but he was especially deadly from beyond the 3-point line. He made a franchise-record eight 3-pointers and missed only three of his attempts from long distance. The 27-year-old shot 13 of 20 overall in 38 minutes. He did suffer a hip contusion late in the game, but he’s expected to go in Game 2.
George got plenty of help from Russell Westbrook, who narrowly missed a triple-double after averaging a triple-double for the second consecutive season. Westbrook poured in 29 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and handed out eight assists.
Carmelo Anthony didn’t have a great shooting game (5 of 13), but he filled up the stat sheet with 15 points, seven rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks. The presence of George and Anthony helped when Westbrook went to the bench, as the Thunder were a plus-9 when the point guard sat. In last season’s playoffs, OKC was outscored by 58 points in Westbrook’s 46 minutes on the pine.
Though the Jazz lost, rookie Donovan Mitchell was terrific in his playoff debut with 27 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. However, Mitchell suffered a left foot contusion and had to leave the game in the second half. The rookie returned but was clearly laboring before heading to the bench when the score got out of hand. While he should be able to play in Game 2, it’s a situation to monitor.
Outside of Mitchell, nobody else on the Jazz impressed. Ricky Rubio had 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals, but the Thunder goaded him into taking 18 shots. Rubio made just five of those attempts and missed all three of his triples. Rudy Gobert had a quiet 14 points and seven rebounds, and he didn’t make his normal impact down low as he tangled with Steven Adams.
Date: Wednesday, April 18
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Venue: Chesapeake Energy Arena
TV Info: NBA TV, FOX Sports Oklahoma, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain
Live Stream: Watch live on FuboTV. Sign up now for a free seven-day trial.
Next: All live stream info in one place
The Jazz can make this a series by stealing Game 2, but they have to hope Mitchell isn’t too hobbled. Utah’s defense should be fine no matter what as long as George or somebody else doesn’t go nuclear again, but the offense likely won’t survive if Mitchell is ineffective or out entirely.