OKC Thunder Game day preview: NBA’s worst offenses meet with views to getting on track

Fast break and paint are key areas to win:

Through four games the Celtics have vacillated on where they score and how they get points.

• Win versus 76ers: lost both fast break (6-16) and paint (34-50) scoring but won the game
• Loss to Raptors: won fast break (18-14), but lost paint (34-46)
• Win versus Knicks: lost both fast break (9-11) and paint (36-40)
• Loss to Magic: won both fast break (23-6) and paint (48-42)

With the potential for Baynes to miss the game it leaves few options for Boston at center. Sure, Al Horford will be a handful, but he’s had issues defending larger bigs, particularly agile bigs. Enter Steven Adams and the time for OKC to repeatedly run the Westbrook – Adams pick and roll until Boston proves they can stop it.

Likewise, how about Dennis Schroder and Nerlens Noel use this opportunity to showcase what opponent reserve units will have to deal with this season.

Control tempo:

Boston began the season with a similar mind set to the Thunder; push pace in order to get off more shots and score easier. That plan changed for Boston when they weren’t recognizing success as they enter the day ranked 22nd (100.88). OKC continue to emphasize tempo and rank 7th (105.17). The Celtics will try to muck up OKC and grind their offense to a halt.

Granted, with Westbrook back controlling pace will be easier said than done for Boston. Jaylen Brown will likely be tasked with guarding Westbrook so Boston can hide Irving on whoever Donovan slots in at shooting guard.

Use your depth to counter their depth:

Following up on the above point – –  with Terrance Ferguson not being overly effective Donovan should insert a player who’ll keep Irving busy. This could be Hamidou Diallo, but I’d lean to Deonte Burton as he’d be a handful for Kyrie to defend and Stevens would likely counter by putting Irving on Westbrook. Again, this plays into the Thunder’s hands as Russ could either blow by Irving or force him into defending the PNR with Adams (good luck with that Kyrie).

Encourage perimeter shots:

Although it’s a certainty Stevens has drilled into the Celtics head to stop taking so many 3-point shots there are certain players who can be coaxed into doing so. No doubt Irving and Horford will play more disciplined.

However, Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart rarely let a shot opportunity pass even if it’s not their best shot. Therefore, OKC should cut off passing lanes, invite Smart and Rozier to jack up treys and close out on them to make the shot more difficult.

Defense needs to be on point:

In spite of their 2-2 record this Celtics team are loaded with talent. Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward are still shaking off the rust, but like Westbrook are All-Star talents. Al Horford is arguably the most under rated defensive talent in the Association.

Yet, the depth of Boston lies with their young core of Jason Tatum, Jaylen Brown and copious youngsters on the bench. Tatum in particular appears ready to take the leap to stardom and may well be who Danny Ainge builds the future core around. For the Thunder who’ve not be clicking offensively they can’t afford to bring anything less than 100 percent defensive effort tonight.