Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
SALT LAKE CITY — With each second shedding from the pregame shot clock inside Vivint Arena, more than an hour ahead of Monday’s Game 4 tipoff, Royce O’Neale’s biggest fan studied his pregame routine from just a few feet away.
Even while drenched in sweat, with headphones plugged in his ears to drown out any distractions, his mother Deborah Kingwood knew one thing for certain.
“Royce doesn’t wanna lose tonight,” she declared. “He hates to lose.”
She certainly spoke it into existence as the Utah Jazz swingman once again drew the difficult task of guarding reigning MVP James Harden in Utah’s 107-91 victory to avoid a sweep.