The Trail Blazers and Spurs were also tied at 1–1, which was definitely not something the Spurs wanted to see.
Losing a home game for no good reason had left Popovich furious.
The evening of the 19th, at the Thunder's home arena.
Game 2 against the Jazz was about to begin.
As the home DJ announced the lineup, the Thunder starters took the court one by one.
After Westbrook finished his entrance routine, everyone made their way back onto the court.
The game began.
Gobert won the opening tip with his usual ease.
The Jazz went on offense.
Rubio brought the ball up and found Favors for a pick-and-roll. He drove into mid-range, then used a Euro Step against Gordon. After a fake, he slipped past him and finished with an easy Layup, scoring two.
Rubio was only 28, but he had already spent seven years in the League. (Rubio was the fifth pick in 2009, but due to his contract with his European team, he didn't officially enter the League and join the Timberwolves until the 2011–12 season.)
Rubio had earned the right to be called a veteran. At Schneider's direction, he deliberately took on a larger share of the offense.
They couldn't let Mitchell end up isolated and helpless again.
The Thunder went on offense.
Once they reached the frontcourt, Westbrook passed to Butler on the wing. Butler caught the ball and drove hard into the paint, going up for a Layup against Favors.
Unfortunately, he couldn't quite finish. The ball bounced off the rim, and Gobert grabbed the rebound.
The Thunder stuck with their strategy of letting their wings take charge, hoping Butler's one-on-one offense would open things up.
The Jazz brought the ball back up. Rubio ran another pick-and-roll at the top of the key, slipped