Around the NBA

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Thunder coach likes young Jazz

If the Jazz slip into the playoffs, they will likely meet San Antonio or Oklahoma City in the first round. It’s an unappealing prospect for Utah, although Thunder coach Scott Brooks likes the Jazz. “They are playing good basketball. Those young guys are starting to play well and coach [Tyrone] Corbin, the way he has developed them, you just don’t get better overnight. Being a young team, the work they put in early this season is paying off.”

Jazz have advantage inside?

If Oklahoma City can be exploited, it could be inside, where they use Kendrick Perkins, Serge Ibaka and Nick Collison. The Jazz counter with Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter. Said Brooks, “Favors and Kanter, those young bigs, are really improved. You have to pay attention to them or they can affect the game on the offensive glass. Favors runs the court and attacks the basket as well as any big. He’s so athletic.”