SALT LAKE CITY — While the Utah Jazz put away Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder Monday night at Vivint Arena with a remarkable third quarter, the final few minutes of the second frame served as a catalyst for the rout.
With 5:15 remaining in the second, the Jazz picked up their fifth team foul of the quarter, meaning the Thunder would get two free throws after every Utah foul until halftime.
Given that the Jazz were trailing by three, it wasn’t an ideal situation for the home team, and Russell Westbrook immediately made two foul shots to stretch the Oklahoma City lead to five.