The Oklahoma City Thunder have been among the NBA’s best at forcing turnovers this season, while the Utah Jazz have been the most turnover-prone team in the league.
Oklahoma City will look to take advantage of that on Monday night when it faces the visiting Jazz.
The Thunder are coming off a 138-136 overtime win over Golden State on Friday where they forced 29 turnovers, leading to 35 points.
Oklahoma City is tied for the NBA lead, forcing 16.9 turnovers per game. Utah is averaging 17.7 giveaways.
The Thunder are also leading the league with 20.6 points off turnovers per game, while the Jazz are tied for the league worst, allowing 20.6 points per game off turnovers.
Jalen Williams has been a big reason for Oklahoma City’s success on both ends of the floor.
In Friday’s win, Williams had 28 points, five rebounds, a season-high three steals, two assists and a block.
In five games since returning from a three-game absence due to injury, Williams has averaged 19.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists.
The Thunder have won three of their past four games.
The Jazz have dropped back-to-back games and four of their past five. Utah is just 1-10 on the road this season; Detroit is the only other team in the NBA without multiple wins away from home.
Utah is coming off a 117-103 loss to the Clippers on Friday after losing by 50 in Dallas on Wednesday.
While Utah coach Will Hardy said he was encouraged by his team’s response after what he called a
Jazz leading scorer Lauri Markkanen has missed the past seven games with a hamstring strain but has recently returned to full participation in practice. It’s not yet clear when Markkanen will return, but he figures to come back soon. However, he will not play against the Thunder.
Monday’s meeting is the first of four between the teams this season. The Thunder won three of four matchups against Utah last season.
