Rookie Donovan Mitchell scored 13 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter to help the Utah Jazz defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder 102-95 on Wednesday night and tie their Western Conference playoffs series at one win apiece.
Derrick Favors had career playoff bests of 20 points and 16 rebounds for the Jazz, and Ricky Rubio had 22 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in the first playoffs win of his seven-year career.
Russell Westbrook had 19 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds for the Thunder. Paul George, who scored 36 points in Game 1, finished with 18 on 6-for-21 shooting. Carmelo Anthony scored 17 points, but made just 6-of-18 shots.
Utah outrebounded Oklahoma City 56-46 to take home-court advantage from the Thunder. Game 3 will be Saturday in Utah.
Oklahoma City had two chances in the final minute to trim Utah’s lead with the Jazz leading 99-95, but Anthony missed 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions.
Utah led 53-46 at halftime behind 12 points from Rubio and 10 points and eight rebounds from Favors. Oklahoma City made just 9-of-25 shots inside the 3-point line in the first half. George led the Thunder with 11 points at the break.
Adams picked up his fourth foul with 6:46 left in the third quarter and the Thunder down 65-58, yet Oklahoma City responded with a run. George’s 3-pointer put the Thunder up 69-67. Oklahoma City closed the quarter on a 21-9 run to take a 79-74 lead. The Thunder held the Jazz to 7-for-23 shooting in the third quarter before Mitchell took over in the fourth.
TIP-INS
Thunder: George played through a bruised right hip. He was limited in practice Tuesday … Japanese artist and Thunder fan Nanae Yamano attended the game. She is known for her illustrations of Thunder players … Adams fouled out with 2:48 to play.
Jazz: Mitchell played through a bruised left foot. He was a game-time decision … Utah opened the game with a 9-0 lead … Favors had nine points and seven rebounds in the first quarter.
UP NEXT
Game 3 is Saturday at Utah.
Courtesy: NBA.com
