Previous to Recreation 1 of the NBA Finals, this author listed five pressure points that would 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 have the ability to do to keep away from dropping each residence video games and, greater than doubtless, the collection to the Indiana Pacers.
Profitable the turnover battle isn’t sufficient
The Thunder’s means to show their opposition over was, as anticipated, overwhelming. What was shocking was their incapability to show dwell ball errors into transition baskets. Indiana dedicated a ridiculous 20 first-half turnovers in Recreation 1, but OKC solely generated 9 factors from stated 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 excellent defensive transition from Indiana. Little question Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, whose genius is lastly being acknowledged, had his group prepped to retreat with haste each time 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 in all probability ought to have been double that.
Do ‘Plan A’ higher
Broadcaster Richard Jefferson referred to as Mark Daignault’s resolution to begin guard Cason Wallace instead of middle 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 capable of hunt mismatches, his offense virtually single-handedly maintaining Indiana within the contest via the primary half. His peak 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 risk.
On the different finish, Holmgren was outmuscled by Myles Turner, resulting in an abysmal, six-point (2/9 from the sector) 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 excellent in Recreation 1, pouring in 38 factors at close to 50% effectivity. He was unstoppable from inside and outside. But, you possibly can’t assist feeling like that was the Pacers’ plan.
As talked about within the Strain Factors piece, Indiana has let one participant get theirs all via these playoffs however shut the provision for the supporting forged. Dort is just not 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 have to step up.
