OKLAHOMA CITY (21-1) AT UTAH (8-13) SALT LAKE CITY (Interstat) — The NBA’s hottest team looks to continue its historic start when the Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Utah Jazz on Sunday at Delta Center. The Thunder (21-1) enter on a 12-game winning streak and boast the league’s best record, having dominated opponents by an average of 16.2 points during their run. Their only loss came in the season’s second week. Utah (8-13), meanwhile, seeks consistency after alternating wins and losses in its last five games. All eyes will be on Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, an early MVP frontrunner averaging 33.4 points per game. He is coming off a 38-point performance in a 124-112 win at Golden State on Tuesday and has scored at least 30 points in nine of his last ten contests. In the teams’ first meeting on Nov. 21, Gilgeous-Alexander tallied 31 points and eight assists in just 30 minutes during a 144-112 Thunder rout. The Jazz will counter with forward Lauri Markkanen, who is averaging 28.8 points and 7.3 rebounds. He scored 30 points in Utah’s most recent outing, a 123-110 victory at Brooklyn on Thursday. Markkanen was held to 19 points in the earlier loss to Oklahoma City. While the Thunder’s offense, which leads the league in efficiency, draws headlines, their defense ranks second. They have held opponents under 113 points in eight of their last ten games. Utah’s defense has struggled, ranking near the bottom of the league and allowing 144 points to Oklahoma City last month. The Jazz have shown offensive firepower, however, scoring 133 and 123 points in their last two wins. Rookie Keyonte George is coming off a 29-point, 10-assist game against the Nets and will be crucial in facilitating against Oklahoma City’s perimeter pressure. For Utah, containing Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder’s multifaceted attack, which also features Chet Holmgren (21 points vs. Golden State) and Jalen Williams, presents a monumental challenge. Oklahoma City aims to avoid a letdown before a key Western Conference showdown with Phoenix on Wednesday. The game tips off at 7 p.m. MST Sunday.