Oklahoma City Thunder power forward Danilo Gallinari carried the offensive load in the first quarter, and guards took over in the second to help the Thunder take a 66-42 lead into the half over the Utah Jazz.
Gallinari had 13 points at the break, 11 of which came in the first half, and he was 2-for-4 from the 3-point line and made four free throws.
Chris Paul had 14 points on 5-for-6 shooting with five rebounds and four assists.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 12 points with six assists.
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Steven Adams had nine points and six rebounds, consistently attacking two-time reigning Defense Player of the Year Rudy Gobert at the rim hard.
Adams also picked up a technical foul when backing down Gobert. Gobert shouldered Adams while attempting to defend him, and Adams stuck an arm in his face as he continued to go toward the rim in apparent retaliation.
The Thunder were 7-for-14 from the 3-point line.
Andre Roberson saw his first real game action since Jan. 2018. He didn’t score, but he did have an impressive block.
This is Mr. Roberson's neighborhood. @FlyDre21 | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/8fXx268dLr
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) August 1, 2020
That defense was key in building the Thunder’s lead. Utah’s first-quarter point total of 15 was its lowest of the season, and nobody managed to score double-digit points by halftime.
Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with nine points, but he was 3-for-10 from the field, though the final shot was a slightly off-balance look right at the buzzer that did not fall.
The Jazz shot just 40% from the field at 20% from 3.
Additionally, the Thunder soundly outplayed the Jazz in transition. Utah had only four fast break points while Oklahoma City had 11.
If the Thunder can keep the lead and hold onto the win, they will be just half a game back of the Jazz and overtake the Rockets for the fifth seed.