Thunder vs. Jazz 2018 live results: Utah takes 3-1 lead on Oklahoma City

The Jazz have completely put OKC in a do or die situation after Game 4. In a night where OKC came out fiesty and angry, Utah was the team who walked away with a win. This was only a six-point game at half time but the Jazz used the third quarter to pull away and take a commanding lead on this OKC team. In a game with numerous technical fouls, an ejection, and a lot of pushing and shoving, the Jazz walked away calm and one win away from the second round in the playoffs.

While OKC has its proclaimed “Big 3”, Utah has a “Big 3” of their own. On Monday night, Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 33 points, while Joe Ingles had 20 points with five three-pointers, and Rudy Gobert grabbed a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

OKC’s Big 3? Paul George had 32 points, Russell Westbrook had 23, and Carmelo Anthony had 11 points. It just wasn’t near enough.

The Thunder are now in a big hole as Utah leads this series 3-1. We’ll see if they can bounce back in Game 5 on Wednesday.

Jazz 113, Thunder 96 - End of 4Q

Donovan Mitchell led the way with 33 points. Joe Ingles had 20 and Rudy Gobert had 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Jazz 90, Thunder 73 - End of 3Q

Donovan Mitchell has 23 points through three quarters and this feels very much like it’s getting way from OKC.

To look ahead, Jerami Grant has been the Thunder’s leading scorer in the 4th quarter so far this series. Not promising.

Jazz 78, Thunder 64 - 5:38 3Q

Reminder that the Jazz are up 2-1 in this series.

Jazz 58, Thunder 52 - Halftime

Russell Westbrook has four fouls at halftime. That’s how physical this game continues to be. Why was Westbrook still in the game with three fouls in the first half? Well, I’m not sure.

Other story lines? Paul George and Joe Ingles cannot stand each other. Both have technical fouls for their dislike.

But as for the basketball part, Utah went on a run to end the half with a six-point lead, led by Donovan Mitchell with 13 points. Russell Westbrook has 15 points and Donovan Mitchell has 13 points.

Also if you want to really understand how wild this game has become:

Thunder 39, Jazz 38 - 5:56 2Q

Russell Westbrook has 11 points, Donovan Mitchell has nine points, and this game is a fight. The Utah Jazz are currently on a 9-2 run. As I type this, the Utah crowd is chanting “Pushoff P” while Paul George shoots free throws. It’s that kind of game.

Thunder 30, Jazz 24 - End of 1Q

Okay, this game is REALLY physical. You can call it defensive effort or intensity or whatever you like, but these teams do not like each other.

Thunder 13, Jazz 10 - 6:44 1Q

This game is extremely physical already. Paul George even has a technical foul! It’s going to be one of those kind of nights.

---

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz finished with the same regular season record at 48-34, so it would be only fitting if these two were tied after four games in their first-round NBA playoff series. But for that to happen Oklahoma City has to win on the road on Monday night in Game 4 in Utah (10:30 p.m. ET, TNT).

The Jazz took their first series lead by overcoming a 10-point deficit to win Game 3 on Saturday going away, a 115-102 home win that saw Ricky Rubio deliver a triple double with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.

Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, who averaged a triple double in each of the last two seasons, doesn’t expect Rubio to repeat that performance on Monday, per the Associated Press:

Asked if the Rubio might have an encore in Game 4, Westbrook defiantly declared that he would shut down any chance of that happening.

“Guarantee that!” Westbrook said.

Paul George led Oklahoma City with 23 points in Game 3 and “Playoff P” is averaging 25.7 points for the series.

The Jazz have won 10 of their last 12 home games.

Jazz vs. Thunder Game 4 info

Location: Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City

Game time: 10:30 p.m. ET

TV: TNT

Announcers: Ian Eagle, Brent Barry and Dennis Scott

Online streaming: Watch TNT