Limit Aldridge:
The key matchup when playing the Spurs is always LaMarcus Aldridge. While DeMar DeRozan is good, the team feeds off Aldridge. The competition between Steven Adams and Aldridge when they play is a highlight of my season.
When these two teams last met Aldridge outplayed Adams. He had 25 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and a block. Adams, on the other hand, had ten points, ten rebounds, four steals, two assists, and a block.
Adams was still recovering from an ankle injury after the Kiwi was taken out in a Clint Capela tackle against the Houston Rockets. His effectiveness has been seriously compromised for two fairly major parts of the season thanks to these injuries.
Fourth straight loss for OKC, losing to the Spurs, 116-102. Westbrook 19-9-8, Schroder 18 (6-15 shooting), Adams 17 and 13. Aldridge with 27 and 10, Gay 22. The Thunder play Memphis tomorrow in OKC.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) March 3, 2019
With the break that Adams enjoyed, this could be the night that he gives Aldridge nightmares rather than the other way around. When Adams has full movement not only is he a menace on the boards, he is also stronger defensively thanks to his lateral movement.
On top of this, if Adams can either beat Aldridge or break even with him, the OKC Thunder should take this matchup. Aldridge and DeRozan are the two best players on the Spurs roster. Adams is the fourth-best player on the Thunder roster.