Oklahoma City Thunder continued their good preseason with an 88-82 win over Utah Jazz.
Reggie Jackson scored 18 points to add to his six assists, while Serge Ibaka scored 17 points in a game that saw five Thunder players reach double digit scores. For the Jazz, Gordon Hayward scored 18 points, while Enes Kanter had 15 points and seven rebounds.
Oklahoma Coach Scott Brooks said that he was happy with the way his team played. "We came out of the game with high intensity defensively," Brooks said. "That's what we talked about before we came out of the locker room. We had to play with much more force defensively. I thought the guys did that."
The Jazz struggled to score from the floor and were shooting at 38.2 percent. The team fell behind at the start of the game and never looked like threatening Oklahoma. "We've got to knock down shots," said forward Gordon Hayward. "We're not shooting the ball very well, hesitating on open looks. We just have to take what they give us. If you're open shoot. If not, then make a play or pass."
New Zealand born Steven Adams impressed for Oklahoma with ten rebounds, two blocks and two steals to add to his eight points. He has been impressive during the entire preseason for the Thunder. Oklahoma started the contest aggressively and never let the Jazz back into the game.
"It set the standard for especially the players coming off the bench for the intensity of the defense," Adams said. "The team that came out first did a good job of setting the tone and then the people that subbed in did a really good job of picking it up and raising the bar."
Oklahoma will be hoping to continue their good form as they face the same team in their season opener on 20 October.
