The Oklahoma City Thunder are staring down an early exit from the NBA playoffs after being pummelled 113-96 by the Utah Jazz.
Utah leads the seven-game series 3-1 as the teams head back to Oklahoma for game five.
Kiwi Steven Adams was dominated for the third game-straight by opposing centre Rudy Gobert, who double-doubled with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Adams finished with 9 points and 7 rebounds.
It started well for OKC, who took a six-point lead into the second quarter - but they soon fell away horribly on offence as star playmaker Russell Westbrook got into foul trouble.
The Jazz outscored the Thunder 66-43 over the next 24 minutes to virtually seal the game with a quarter to play.
Rookie sensation Donovan Mitchell starred again for the Jazz, scoring 30 points in 43 minutes, while point guard Ricky Rubio backed up his game three triple-double with 13 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds.
The 21-year-old's 110 points through the first 4 playoff games are the most by rookie since Michael Jordan's 117 in 1985.
It's hard to fathom that a side featuring the offensive prowess of Westbrook, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony will be eliminated in the opening round of the Western Conference playoffs, but the team basketball that the Jazz have put on display has left that a high possibility.
Regardless of whether the Thunder can get a game back at home on Thursday, they face the daunting prospect of heading back to Utah for a must-win game six.
Game five was riddled with technical fouls - seven in total, including the ejection of Jazz forward Jae Crowder for an elbow to the face of Adams during a fourth quarter midcourt scuffle.
Adams was unfazed by the incident, as he tried to play peacemaker.
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