2018 NBA Playoffs: First-round schedule, initial thoughts on each series

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 17: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors shows off his championship ring before their game against the Houston Rockets at ORACLE Arena on October 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

5 of 9

Oklahoma City Thunder (4) vs. Utah Jazz (5)

Season Series: 3-1, ThunderÂ

Game 1: Sun. April 15 – Utah at Oklahoma City, 6:30 p.m., TNT
Game 2: Wed. April 18 – Utah at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m., NBA TV
Game 3: Sat. April 21 – Oklahoma City at Utah, 10 p.m., ESPN
Game 4: Mon. April 23 – Oklahoma City at Utah, 10:30 p.m. TNT
*Game 5: Wed. April 25 – Utah at Oklahoma City, TBD
*Game 6: Fri. April 27 – Oklahoma City at Utah, TBD
*Game 7: Sun. April 29 – Utah at Oklahoma City, TBD

The Utah Jazz have been an amazing story during the second half of this season. With nearly every NBA pundit counting them out the moment that Gordon Hayward departed in free agency, the Jazz climbed all the way up to the 5th seed in the West.

They might be the hottest team in the NBA at the moment, and the rise of Donovan Mitchell has been a site to see.

OKC is the team that carries the weight here, though. The Thunder has three stars and is largely expected to make some noise in the playoffs. Utah doesn’t care, though. They’re used to being counted out and ignored.