Previous to Recreation 1 of the NBA Finals, this author listed five pressure points that might determine the championship. Some got here to gentle even within the collection opener with one. The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder shelved their two-big lineup half-hour previous to tip off!
Earlier than this night’s second contest, let’s check out what the Thunder may be capable of do to keep away from dropping each dwelling video games and, greater than possible, the collection to the Indiana Pacers.
Profitable the turnover battle isn’t sufficient
The Thunder’s skill to show their opposition over was, as anticipated, overwhelming. What was stunning was their incapacity to show reside ball errors into transition baskets. Indiana dedicated a ridiculous 20 first-half turnovers in Recreation 1, but OKC solely generated 9 factors from mentioned turnovers. A part of that was luck, with 11 of these turnovers being dead-ball and, by definition, stopping Thunder runouts.
The opposite issue was very good defensive transition from Indiana. Little question Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, whose genius is lastly being acknowledged, had his group prepped to retreat with haste at any time when the ball was misplaced, however the Thunder merely weren’t ruthless sufficient on the basket, nor did they leak out in numbers typically sufficient. It resulted in a 12-point halftime margin, when it most likely ought to have been double that.
Do ‘Plan A’ higher
Broadcaster Richard Jefferson known as Mark Daignault’s choice to begin guard Cason Wallace rather than heart Isaiah Hartenstein a psychological win for Indiana, who had already made the Thunder deviate from two-big Plan A earlier than the gamers took to the ground.
The justification for the transfer made sufficient sense, however a crossmatch can work each methods. Whereas Wallace clearly contributed to Indiana’s first-half turnover fest, Pascal Siakam was in a position to hunt mismatches, his offense virtually single-handedly protecting Indiana within the contest via the primary half. His top and energy had been merely overwhelming for Jalen Williams, Wallace, and even the cinderblock that’s Lu Dort. It additionally meant that the Thunder didn’t have backline assist with Holmgren having to respect Myles Turner’s exterior menace.
On the different finish, Holmgren was outmuscled by Myles Turner, resulting in an abysmal, six-point (2/9 from the sphere) efficiency. For all his on-ball expertise, Holmgren merely doesn’t have the heft to play on the ring in opposition to behemoths. Hartenstein unlocks a lot of what makes Chet tick. Anticipate Daignault to place Holmgren ready to excel in Recreation 2.
Shai wants some assist
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was very good in Recreation 1, pouring in 38 factors at close to 50% effectivity. He was unstoppable from inside and outside. But, you’ll be able to’t assist feeling like that was the Pacers’ plan.
As talked about within the Stress Factors piece, Indiana has let one participant get theirs all via these playoffs however shut the provision for the supporting forged. Dort will not be more likely to hit 5 threes once more this collection so — to not go all Stephen A. Smith — one (or each) of Williams and Holmgren must step up.
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