OKLAHOMA CITY -- Paul Millsap had 30 points and 16 rebounds, Deron Williams added 16 points and 15 assists and the Utah Jazz avoided matching their worst start in 31 years by beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 120-99 on Sunday night.
Al Jefferson notched his first double-double since joining the Jazz in an offseason trading, putting up 23 points and 10 rebounds.
The Jazz haven't started 0-3 since the 1979-80 season, the franchise's first in Utah. Instead, they snapped Oklahoma City's season opening two-game win streak behind a strong push in the middle of the game when they outscored the Thunder 40-13.
Kevin Durant led Oklahoma City with 28 points and Russell Westbrook scored 22.
With Williams directing the way, the Jazz started pulling away with a 17-4 run to finish the first half. He set up C.J. Miles and Jefferson for two-handed jams before hitting his own short jumper in the lane.
Thunder coach Scott Brooks finally pulled Westbrook out of the game and replaced him with Eric Maynor, only for Williams to go after him. Williams isolated against Maynor and dribbled into the lane, then kicked it out for his 10th assist of the first half on Miles' 3-pointer from the left wing.
Utah finished off its first-half flourish when Andrei Kirilenko curled into the lane for a basket and converted it into a three-point play and a 56-40 halftime lead.
Kirilenko made a 3 to start a 17-6 run to open the second half for Utah, pushing the lead to 73-46 before Oklahoma City made its big charge. The Thunder startled Utah with a full-court press, converting a series of turnovers into an 11-0 comeback.
Oklahoma City was never able to get closer than 98-85 after Westbrook drove for layups on back-to-back possessions early in the fourth quarter.
The Jazz followed with an 8-0 run that made it 112-90 and sealed the win.
Comments