Preview: Struggling Jazz Face Formidable Thunder in Oklahoma City OKLAHOMA CITY (Interstat) — The Utah Jazz, mired near the bottom of the Western Conference, face a daunting task Wednesday night when they visit the NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. The matchup pits one of the league’s hottest teams against one of its coldest. Oklahoma City (30-6) boasts the best record in basketball, while Utah (12-22) has lost three of its last four games. The Thunder have dominated the season series, winning the two previous meetings by an average of 31 points. All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen remains a bright spot for the Jazz, averaging 28.9 points over his last seven games. He scored 35 points in a loss to Golden State on Saturday. Utah will need another prolific performance from him to keep pace with Oklahoma City’s high-powered offense, which averages a league-best 124.3 points per game. The Thunder are led by guard Jalen Williams, who is averaging 17.4 points and 6.1 assists. He posted 23 points and seven assists in a narrow road loss to Phoenix on Sunday, Oklahoma City’s only defeat in its last six outings. Williams is supported by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (25 points vs. Phoenix) and center Chet Holmgren, who had 18 points and nine rebounds in the same game. Utah’s recent defensive struggles are a major concern. The Jazz have allowed an average of 126.5 points over their last 10 games. Containing the Thunder’s multifaceted attack, which shoots a league-best 49.8% from the field, will be their primary challenge. Oklahoma City looks to bounce back from its rare loss and maintain its grip on the conference’s top seed. The Jazz, meanwhile, are simply searching for consistency as they begin a difficult stretch of their schedule. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CST.