The Oklahoma City Thunder took Game 1 comfortably against the Lakers despite some ugly offensive stretches.
Los Angeles rode with their hyper-aggression on defense till the end. It may have slowed down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after scoring less than 20 points for the first time since last postseason while committing seven turnovers, but it should inevitably give OKC shooters, specifically Isaiah Joe, a career series.
Although Joe played only 11 minutes, his effect was felt throughout, and it's clear how much his shooting presence will help deter this LA defense.
With him on the floor, SGA's game will be more open, facing less pressure, all without the worry of the wing's size and strength playing him off the court.
Lakers' lack of athletes creates rare playoff opportunity for Thunder wing
In past playoff series, the OKC veteran's subpar physicality left him on the outside looking in on a rotation spot.
His weakness left him as a liability on defense and made it hard for him to find a good look behind the arc. This was certainly evident last year, as he only notched 10 minutes a night.
But against this depleted LA team, it's Joe's chance to shine as the Thunder look to change history in round two.
The Lakers' rotation consists of imperfect athletes, especially after Jarred Vanderbilt's injury. Now, without the worry of physicality for the Thunder's esteemed shooter, his role in the rotation can get a drastic upward swing.
Game 1 impact is enough evidence for an increased role for Isaiah Joe
While Isaiah Joe was on the court, OKC had a staggering 131.8 offensive rating. A majority of his minutes came while sharing the floor with SGA.
Joe's renowned shooting reputation and ability made offense easier for the MVP. He provided easy spot-up shots and forced the Lakers to send fewer double teams.
Additionally, Joe's defensive struggles were not exploited. The team posted a 78.3 defensive rating with him on the court.
In fact, the spot-up specialist made some impressive plays on defense, not allowing blow-bys and holding his own on-ball.
The duo's effectiveness was displayed in the regular season as well. When they were on the court together, the team hoisted a 124.2 offensive rating and a 62.3 true shooting percentage.
Their chemistry always popped out, with Joe always a kick-out option or the player who made the defense pay for an aggressive hedge.
In a scenario where Joe plays closer to 20 minutes per game, with most of those minutes spent with SGA, the Lakers' defensive weaknesses will be easily exploited, propelling the Thunder to another dominant series.
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