Through two games of the NBA Finals, the series is tied 1-1 heading to Indiana. Another Tyrese Haliburton game-winner stole game one, and an Oklahoma City blowout evened things out.
One of the underrated heroes in game one was Myles Turner.
Meanwhile, in game two, it was a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander masterclass.
How Indy countered OKC in Game 1
In the fourth-quarter comeback, Turner scored eight of his 15 points in the final frame. Indiana ran a mix of different actions that gave the 7-footer clean looks.
On Indiana’s first play, Turner sets the on-ball screen for Andrew Nembhard and takes a subtle step as if he’s about to roll to the cup. Turner then pops back out to the perimeter for a clean look that hits the back heel of the rim.
It’s a long closeout for Chet Holmgren since he had two feet in the paint the moment Turner caught the rock.
On this sideline out-of-bounds play, Turner looks like he’s going to screen for Haliburton before Haliburton gets in front of Turner’s man, Holmgren, and gives Holmgren a longer closeout on Turner.
Lu Dort is grabbing Haliburton, which prevents Haliburton from setting a screen.
Turner utilizes a ball fake to get Holmgren to leave his feet. The longest-tenured Pacer banks in a miracle 3-pointer from an angle between the corner and the wing in the clutch.
Indiana executes Nembhard-Turner pick-and-roll, which results in Turner setting a strong screen on Alex Caruso, causing him to be out of the play. That gives Indiana a 2-on-1 advantage, and Nembhard hits Turner. Turner has just enough space to connect on an elbow jumper.
These were two huge back-to-back jump shots by the big man in the clutch.
Turner’s ability to screen, roll, or pop will be a critical component of Indiana’s offense.
Here’s a good counter by Indiana to Oklahoma City’s counter.
As the third quarter is coming to a close, defenses can afford to move pieces around as the offense is dribbling the clock down.
At the top of the screen, OKC attempted a pre-switch – a switch that happens before the on-ball screen is set. This is to either get the best defender on the ball or prevent a weak defender from guarding the ball.
Caruso was initially guarding Pascal Siakam before wanting to switch onto Bennedict Mathurin, anticipating that Mathurin would set the on-ball screen.
TJ McConnell is running the play and sees the attempted pre-switch between Caruso and Gilgeous-Alexander. McConnell fires a pass to a wide-open Siakam to counter the pre-switch, and Siakam makes the Thunder pay.
Plays like these were backbreakers for OKC since Indiana came up with an answer to counter them.
How OKC countered Indy in Game 2
It was the MVP that led the way. Gilgeous-Alexander was phenomenal on both ends, scoring 34 points, eight assists, and four steals.
His 72 points in his first two Finals games are the most in NBA History.
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He put on a clinic with his playmaking and perimeter defense in game two.
OKC has run a healthy dose of pick-and-rolls for Gilgeous-Alexander.
As Gilgeous-Alexander comes off the Holmgren screen, Gilgeous-Alexander keeps his dribble low and splits two defenders.
His dribble-drive draws Siakam up to him, and Aaron Nesmith has to peel off the corner to cover Siakam’s man. All that leaves is Gilgeous-Alexander hitting Jalen Williams with a pass right into the shooter’s pocket for a wide-open 3-pointer.
Again, Gilgeous-Alexander keeps his dribble low and splits two defenders.
It’s poor communication on Indiana’s part. Nembhard fights over the screen to stay attached to Gilgeous-Alexander.
Either Haliburton needed to recover back to the screener – Aaron Wiggins, or Siakam needed to zone up the two shooters – Wiggins and Caruso, by putting himself in between the two and being ready to close out.
To Gilgeous-Alexander’s credit, he probes around the paint, turns, and dumps it off to Wiggins for another wide-open 3-pointer.
What makes OKC’s defense so great as a whole is the ability to get back into the play and create havoc.
Gilgeous-Alexander chases over the screen and pokes Nembhard’s dribble from behind for a steal. Holmgren helps delay Nembhard’s drive by placing himself two steps below the screen, and that allows Gilgeous-Alexander to get back into the play.
Gilgeous-Alexander jumps on a potential to the rolling Obi Toppin but quickly gets back down. And while he’s behind the play, Haliburton attempts a gallop move which he bringing the ball back to his left hand, and Gilgeous-Alexander is right there for a clean strip and steal.
The MVP’s playmaking and perimeter defense will continue to be a key factor.
With the series shifting to Indiana, expect adjustments from both coaching staffs in attempt to win the NBA Finals.
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