After getting beat handily in Game 1 of the series the Utah Jazz bounced back with a tough, gutsy victory on the road in Oklahoma City to even up their series with the Thunder at 1-1.
MORE: NBA Playoffs 2018: Three takeaways from the Cavaliers' Game 2 win over the Pacers
Donovan Mitchell led the way with 28 points and the Jazz got their split as the series going back to Utah for Game 3 and 4 beginning on Sunday (AEDT).
Here are three takeaways from Game 2.
Transition
Despite having three dynamic scorers in Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony and Paul George the Thunder have looked lost at times in the series in the half court. Some of that is on the Thunder, but a lot of it has to do with the Jazz's defence. Utah is one of the stingiest teams in the league and one way the Thunder can exploit their defence is in transition.
The Thunder only managed to score four fastbreak points in the first half and saw themselves head to the halftime break down on the scoreboard. They finished the game with 15 transition points, a lot of which came in the third quarter - which was the Thunder's highest-scoring period.
Once the Jazz eliminated the Thunder's fast break scoring they were able to lock in and make life tough for Westbrook and co. If Utah can keep OKC from making this series a sprint they may very well pull off the upset.
Rebounding
The Thunder were one of the best rebounding teams in the league - they were also the best offensive rebounding team in the regular season. The Jazz pounded them on the glass in Game 2 winning the rebound count 56-46. Utah also pulled down 15 offensive boards giving them second-chance opportunities all night and keeping OKC from run out on the break.
If the Jazz can continue to out-rebound the Thunder, the series will shift favourably for Utah.
Free Throws
Oklahoma City shot 72% as a team in the regular season - good for 29th overall. Only the Lakers were a worst free throw shooting team than the Thunder. In Game 1 they shot 87% as a unit, Game 2 was a different story going a dismal 67%.
If the Jazz are going to make life tough for OKC to score in the halfcourt and they're not going to allow the Thunder to get out on the break, Billy Donovan's bunch is going to have to cash in at the stripe.
