2018 NBA Playoffs: One Big Takeaway from the First 2 Games of Each Playoff series

#8 There is no way of predicting how the Thunder are going to play on any given day

Utah Jazz v Oklahoma City Thunder - Game Two

Game 1 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena wasn't nearly as close as the eventual 116-108 scoreline suggests. The game was essentially over with 3 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter and the score at 109-91 in favour of the Thunder.

Paul George and Russell Westbrook had scored the bulk of the points on that day, with 36 and 29 respectively. George had quite an efficient night, getting his points in only 21 shots. Westbrook was less so, but ultimately their combination on offense proved too much for a Utah defense that wasn't able to defend the 3-point line at a high level in game 1.

All 3 of the OKC big 3 were bricking big-time in game 2, however. Which was the reason they lost handily, 102-95, even after Donovan Mitchell scored 0 of his 7 3-point attempts. Melo, George and Westbrook combined to shoot 19-of-59 from the field, and none of them had a single field goal in the 4th quarter of this game.

We've always known that these players are streaky shooters, but the Thunder need to generate more drives into the lane for them when their perimeter shooting is not on point on the day. Unfortunately, Billy Donovan does not seem capable of running such sets, which is why the Thunder will huff and puff their way through this first round.