OKC Thunder: 3 keys to winning series versus Spurs
OKC Thunder key number 3: apply lessons learned from February 24th
Okay, so this isn’t to say Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has to score 42 points tonight or that Lu Dort needs to hit three 3-pointers in the final frame and one at the buzzer. Rather, this is about taking the lessons learned in that win and replicating them.
More importantly, there were things the Thunder could improve upon.
Many of the points Intentions made in the three keys leading into last Wednesday came to pass and are worth repeating.
Protect the ball: The Spurs commit the fewest turnovers per game (11.0) and rank first for the fewest opponent points scored off turnovers. Last week, the Thunder got a bit lucky because they turned the ball over 17 times compared to the Spurs 13 turnovers but managed to score more off the turnovers than San Antonio (22 to 19).
Transition and paint defense: Wednesday, the Thunder provided solid transition defense holding the Spurs to just seven fastbreak points. However, OKC lost the paint battle 46-32 and those extra 14 points were the reason the Spurs often led in the match.
Perimeter wisdom: The deep-ball was falling for OKC last Wednesday (18 of 44 for 40.9 percent) but that success shouldn’t be expected. As they learned in Dallas those nights where OKC can’t miss from deep are the often the exception, not the rule. And, on the second night of a back-to-back, it’s better to rely on paint scoring as legs often don’t have the same lift.