Thunderous Intentions
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Complete guide to the Thunder, Rockets playoff series

By Tony Heim

Jan 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) at Toyota Center. Houston Rockets won 118 to 116 .Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) at Toyota Center. Houston Rockets won 118 to 116 .Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 2, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) and Charlotte Hornets center Frank Kaminsky (44) fight for a loose ball during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) and Charlotte Hornets center Frank Kaminsky (44) fight for a loose ball during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

X-factors

Steven Adams

What Steven Adams are we going to see this postseason? The one that became the biggest matchup disadvantage the 73-win Warriors had faced all season? Or the one that looked lost on the basketball court in the second half of the season?

Related Story: The Kiwi Bible – The ultimate guide to Steven Adams

Like Kanter, there’s a chance that Billy Donovan simply can’t play Adams in this series. The pick & roll is a staple of the Houston offense and if OKC is switching everything it means Adams will be guarding James Harden in isolation. Last postseason he handled the unanimous MVP fairly well, giving the OKC Thunder a distinct advantage on the boards. Houston doesn’t have a player on the roster who can match Adams’ pure strength down-low; it’s going to come down to how much heart the Big Kiwi plays with.

Jerami Grant

Did you really think I was going to get through a whole preview without mentioning Grant? Even if Adams is playing well, it’s likely that the Thunder’s crunch time lineup consists of Grant and Gibson playing the 4 and 5 spots. Grant provides Billy Donovan with the option to match Houston’s small-ball lineup while keeping a rim protector on the floor.

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In fact, Grant averages more blocks per 36 minutes than Adams anyways. Throw in the fact that Grant is statistically one of the Thunder’s two best three-point shooters and we start to realize how important he will be in this series.

Mike D’Antoni

There’s no question that Houston is the overall more talented team. But in a seven-game series like this, coaching adjustments become just as important on the talent on the floor. We’ve seen what Donovan can do in the postseason (great things) and we’ve seen what D’Antoni can do (not-so-great things).

The Thunder’s defense stepped up significantly in the playoffs last season and I expect something similar to happen this season. If D’Antoni fails to make the right adjustments quickly enough the Oklahoma City could snag a game or even two before the series even gets to the Chesapeake. That’s bad news for Houston.

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