Thunder smoke Jazz, earn NBA Cup berth

The Oklahoma City Thunder (16-5) did as expected, overwhelming the woeful Utah Jazz (4-17). Despite a slow start by OKC, the game was never really in doubt. The Thunder had 12 steals by halftime, and terrorized the Jazz with more third quarter turnover/transition tyranny that culminated in a 15-0 run in the third quarter to put the Jazz away for good. Shai filmed a mixtape, and Mark Daigneault lit the Branden Carlson victory cigar for the first time.

We’ll get some bonus basketball next week, when the Thunder play for their own bonus. Oklahoma City won its NBA Cup group thing, advancing to the single elimination tournament in Las Vegas for the first time. A two-game road trip remains for OKC before the tournament on Tuesday.