This is a tale of two teams going in opposite directions. OKC is 7-1 in 2025 and sits atop the Western Conference while Utah is 3-7 in January but sits 15 th in the West. The Jazz are currently 7-16 on the road with a point differential of -7, while the Thunder have a 10-0 record in their last ten games at home.

The NBA odds already have Utah listed as a massive underdog, and that spread could continue to grow with injuries up front for the visitor. With potential holes around the hoop, center Walker Kessler is called upon to pick up the slack in both scoring and rebounding.

It's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder against Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night at Paycom Center.