The Oklahoma City Thunder, the most dominant team in the league this season, has the upper hand against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round thanks to their defensive physicality.
They have the leeway to be more aggressive than most teams. The Thunder are allowed to hand-check and hold more because their defenders are giving themselves an obvious advantage.
The tape shows examples of the big advantage the Thunder have defensively.
Extra Aggressiveness Leads to Forced Turnovers
The Thunder defense thrives on initiating contact and forcing opponents to play through it. They did so to the Lakers throughout the regular season, winning three of the four matchups by double digits.
On this play, Cason Wallace goes for the steal on the pass to the post but can’t get a deflection. Jaylin Williams comes over to help and prevent a straight-line drive.
Wallace knocks the ball on the gather, but there was enough contact in Luka Doncic’s mind to warrant him to immediately turn to the official and then twirl his finger at the bench for a review because he knew he was hacked.
Here’s another example of the Thunder’s aggressiveness:
The Lakers use Doncic as the on-ball screener here. Wallace grabs Doncic’s jersey before the screen is set, creating an obvious advantage for the defender.
They play on momentarily before Doncic is called for a moving screen. Jake LaRavia is also culpable for the offensive foul because he never stops and waits for Doncic to set the screen. It’s an easy call for the officials, but Wallace got away with a ton of contact up top.
On this play late in a blowout game, after navigating the first screen, there’s contact between Doncic and Wallace. A play like this could warrant a call for Wallace being in an illegal guarding position, but they play on.
The play results in nobody else touching the ball, and Doncic forces a shot that hits the back heel of the rim.
OKC’s Defensive Versatility
While they get grace for their physical defense, the Thunder are flat-out an elite and brilliant defensive unit.
On this pick-and-roll coverage, the Thunder’s goal is to get the ball out of Doncic’s hands, so they put two on the ball.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the low man — the weakside defender on the baseline. He tags the roll man and aggressively goes for the steal, which he has to do since he’s a guard trying to rim protect against a big.
There’s contact underneath, but they play on after Gilgeous-Alexander deflects the ball on the catch.
Their defensive versatility is showcased again, this time with a big man on a guard.
The Thunder communicate and choose to have Chet Holmgren switch late. Holmgren positions his right foot up high, trying to get Doncic to drive to the middle of the floor.
Doncic goes to his patented step-back, but Holmgren’s length makes it difficult for him, resulting in a defensive stop.
Overall, the Thunder’s defense is a talented unit that blends switching, blowing up straight line drives, and covering for one another.
Oklahoma City’s combination of their high IQ and physicality as a unit will be their biggest key to taking down the Lakers.
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