OKC Thunder film room: defensive keys to shut down Trail Blazers offense
Portland loves to play inside
In all but one of their four regular season contests against OKC, Portland notched 50+ points in the paint. With Jusuf Nurkić out for the series due to compound leg fractures in his left leg, the Thunder need to take advantage of the favorable mismatch Steven Adams, Jerami Grant, and Nerlens Noel can maintain on Portland’s remaining big men.
Speaking of Noel, check out how the big man comes flying high to recover down low and intercept a floating pass. Nurkić found himself open under the basket, but Noel was able to recover after recognizing they left the paint wide open. It was a great effort and save by Noel, but OKC’s big men can’t allow themselves to be sucked out wide too often, or Portland will punish them with easy buckets down low.
Next, we’ll see Paul George showcase why he is in contention for the defensive player of the year award. After a loose ball at the other end of the court turns into a race and potential layup for Portland’s Al-Farouq Aminu, George sticks with the play to ensure there are no chip shots for the opposition.
The Thunder need to embrace the mentality that there should be no easy buckets for the Trail Blazers. Be it against Portland’s half-court offense or against a fast break, everything must be contested and earned, especially in the paint.
Next, we’ll see Jerami Grant make an impressive swat block from out of nowhere. It’s these kinds of surprise plays that can spark both the defensive and offensive efforts to take control of the game.
Being perceptive with timely double-teams will be necessary to keeping Portland’s offensive minded big men contained.
Some teams thrive on making 3-pointers as one of their specialties and pillars to success, but that is not so with the Portland Trail Blazers. Instead, Portland likes to cement their dominance down low first and foremost. Oklahoma City should make a point to keep Portland from scoring 50 or more points in the paint per game if the Thunder want to take control of the series.
The OKC Thunder have a prime opportunity to do so with Jusuf Nurkić stuck on the sidelines, so OKC’s big men need to set the tone early each game.