Key Defensive Adjustments for Game 3

Through the first six quarters of the Western Conference Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder must have been satisfied with their defensive efforts.  OKC took Game 1 and were competitive during the first half of game two before allowing an 11-2 run by the Warriors in the final 1:47 of the second quarter.  The Warriors expanded on their lead to start the third quarter and the game was quickly out of hand.  The Thunder have the tools, and more importantly, a road map to beat the Warriors. Here are three key defensive adjustments heading into Game 3.

Tweaking the starting match ups       

Russell Westbrook‘s athleticism is better equipped to chase Klay Thompson. The sets involving multiple screens the Warriors run for Thompson are better navigated by Westbrook, while the length sacrificed is made up with less shooting space and an unlimited gas tank.  Stephen Curry is neutralizing Westrook’s athleticism on defense by waiting for the mismatch to develop through screens.  I would much rather see Westbrook chase Klay Thompson, having him weave into the passing lanes and generate more turnovers.

Andre Roberson‘s added length and conservative mentality will limit the amount of shooting space provided for Curry. Roberson is a more stable presence at the top of a defense, steering Curry away from pick and rolls.  The bigger, still mobile body of Roberson pressuring the ball may add a little discomfort for Curry.  If Roberson becomes too much of an offensive liability and Dion Waiters is inserted into the starting lineup,  Westbrook should remain on Klay, maximizing the athletic advantage the Thunder have.

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Kevin Durant matched up against Harrison Barnes is a nice advantage for the Thunder and also a way for Durant to conserve energy on the defensive end.  However, Durant has the ability to smother Draymond Green on defense and switch any pick and roll with Curry or Thompson. Durant is capable of playing more then the 35:16 minutes in Game 2, and having a bigger impact on the defensive end can assert his overall game dominance. Having Roberson and Durant as your pick and roll defense is a positive for the Thunder.

Barnes is the Warrior’s least threatening offensive starter. He does not set devastating screens like Andrew Bogut and if Barnes pops out to the perimeter for ten shots, the Thunder will welcome the results.  If Serge Ibaka guards Harrison Barnes, he will have more room to help dribble penetration, anchor the paint area with Steven Adams, and close out on Barnes as needed.

Keep Enes Kanter close to the paint

The Golden State Warriors exploit Kanter every chance they have. With Curry on the floor, Kanter’s defender will screen Curry’s defender, forcing a switch and resulting in Enes Kanter guarding Curry above the free throw line. Any big man guarding Curry out that far is not ideal, but Kanter looks especially disadvantaged while trying to keep Curry in front of him.

Kanter’s offensive game has been brilliant this postseason, especially his finishes around the rim and catching passes in the lane, but with Golden State’s ultra small lineup, he may be too much of a negative defensively to play. Keeping Kanter out of the Curry pick and roll will determine at least one game moving forward. If they cannot stop Golden State from seeking Kanter out on defense, he may only have minutes if Curry is off the floor.

Resist the urge to go small

As the Warrior’s small lineup ended the first half on a run, the important question of this series was exposed. How will the Thunder defend the Warrior’s small lineup? Billy Donovan gave major minutes to Randy Foye in the first two games and a frightening solution was presented. Match the speed and ball movement of Golden State by going small as well.  Donovan can play a lineup of Durant at the four and Ibaka at center, with Foye and Waiters on the wings and Westbrook at the point. Steve Kerr is hoping the Thunder attempt a small lineup.

The Warrior’s cannot be matched small, the scheme calls to stay big and athletic. Say the Thunder have a four point lead with 2:00 left in game three, they can enter a lineup of Westbrook and Durant up front with three seven foot forwards behind them.  This lineup may be ineffective offensively, but defensively could be a nice wrinkle for Donovan to try.

The Thunder have the tools to stop this Golden State team defensively, but it requires mass amounts of concentration and communication. Look for the defensive intensity to be at an extremely high level to start game three. The home crowd will certainly have them ready to play.