JAZZ AT THUNDER
Thunder lead 3-1. Game 5, 7:30 p.m. MDT, NBA TV.
NEED TO KNOW: Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell is averaging 27.5 points and 8.5 rebounds while shooting 45 percent from the field. He’s averaging 17.3 points in the second half and shooting 46 percent.
He topped Karl Malone’s rookie playoff record with 33 points in Game 4.
”I’m not trying to think about all that now,” he said. ”We have bigger things to worry about right now as a team.”
KEEP AN EYE ON: Thunder F Carmelo Anthony. He’s shooting 37 percent from the field and 23.1 percent from 3-point range. He was brought to the Thunder to take pressure off Thunder G Russell Westbrook, but his inability to make shots has only made things more difficult.
PRESSURE IS ON: Westbrook. While averaging 21.3 points, 11.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists, he’s only shooting 37 percent, 21 on 3s. Westbrook normally attacks with reckless abandon, but 7-foot-1 Jazz center Rudy Gobert is making that tougher.
INTRIGUING MATCHUP: Thunder F Paul George vs. Jazz F Joe Ingles. George has been solid, averaging 27.3 points. But his focus has drifted and he has got caught up in some of Ingles’ agitating tactics. George was the aggressor in Game 4 , at one point shoving Ingles and getting a technical.
