The OKC Thunder have not only proven themselves to be one of the best defensive units during this 2024-25 NBA season but, frankly, of all time.
From their third-greatest relative defensive efficiency to their eye-popping ability to rack up stocks, through 24 games played it seems as though Oklahoma City is en route toward claiming GOAT status as far as their efforts on the less glamorous side of the ball are concerned.
However, easily their most impressive defensive skill set to this point has proven to be their effectiveness in forcing teams to commit turnovers.
On the year, opponents squaring off against the Thunder average 19.2 turnovers per game.
To put just how stellar of a rate this is into perspective, the last time a team boasted a better mark was back in 1997-98 when the Boston Celtics forced opposing clubs into 20.6 turnovers a night.
Now, when it comes to this skill, what's most important is how the team manages to properly utilize the new-found possession. Fortunately, the Thunder have been one of the best at capitalizing on the opposite end following such an ordeal, as they have been elite in generating points off of turnovers with an average of 23.1.
As the old saying goes, good defense leads to good offense and, as they've shown thus far, OKC seems to abide by this mantra. Lucky for them, honing in on this may be one of the best ways to secure a Semifinal victory against the Houston Rockets in the Emirates NBA Cup.
Thunder must capitalize on fast break offense against Rockets
This matchup between the Thunder and Rockets is virtually as evenly matched as things could possibly be.
The conference rivals have both been playing lights out, two-way ball throughout this first quarter of the campaign while ranking in as the top two teams in opponent field goal percentage, defensive rating, net rating, and within the West standings.
For either team to come away from Saturday night's in-season tournament face-off victorious, it may ultimately come down to a club successfully honing in on one of the very few edges they have over the other.
For the Thunder, said edge is clearly in the fast break scoring department, as they rank first in this area while Houston falls outside of the top 10.
Considering how both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams -- the fourth and seventh-best fast break scorers currently in the game -- have been lighting it up as of late, it may be smart for Oklahoma City to let them loose and push the pace on the break to help steer into one of the only clear advantages they have in this knockout matchup.