SALT LAKE CITY — In theory, Wednesday night’s matchup between the Utah Jazz and the Oklahoma City Thunder was primed to be a good one. The Northwest Division foes entered the evening with identical 15-10 records and some stellar storylines.
The Jazz were returning shooting guard Rodney Hood and Derrick Favors after absences because of injury, while the Thunder boasted Russell Westbrook, a triple-double threat every time he takes the floor.
Instead of a close contest, however, Utah rolled to a 109-89 victory. How did it happen?
First, a few caveats. Oklahoma City was playing its third game in three nights and was in its second city in a span of less than 24 hours after losing to the Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday.