The Utah Jazz will visit the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Friday evening.

The Thunder (37-20) hold the advantage in the season series, having won both of the previous meetings between these two teams. The divisional rivals have not squared off since late December, when the Thunder edged the Jazz out by a one-point margin. Since then, the Thunder have remained one of the league's top teams, boasting a 21-14 record since the start of January. The team has relied heavily on its tandem of All-Stars, with Paul George's career year helping to lead OKC's strong season. George is boasting a career-high average of 28.7 points per game, and the star scored 45 or more in two of the Thunder's last three games prior to the All-Star Break. Russell Westbrook, meanwhile, is in the midst of his third consecutive season averaging a triple-double.

Utah (32-25), meanwhile, ended its first half with a 108-115 loss to the Golden State Warriors. Still, the Jazz has turned things around since holding a sub-.500 record through 25 games. Utah's bread and butter has been its stellar defense, anchored by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert. Gobert, despite not being named an All-Star, has put up career numbers this season. He is averaging 15.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game while helping Utah hold the league's third-best defensive rating (105.8). It has also been a strong year for sophomore star Donovan Mitchell, who is averaging over 25 points per game since the start of January.