Is the Spurs’ Secret Strategy the Ultimate Key to Cracking the Thunder’s Defense?
San Antonio decided to guard any pick-and-roll with just two defenders. When Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got an advantage that was impossible to ignore, the Spurs would send an extra defender, but the help behind the play was controlled instead of frantic.
If the Thunder’s role players wanted to take semi-contested 3-pointers, they could. If they wanted to drive against a defender who hadn’t been fully compromised when the defense was still mostly in position, they could do that.
Many times, defenses against the Thunder are left chasing the ball. OKC responds by unselfishly moving the ball around until someone is wide open. Remarkably, the Spurs have found a way to use that unselfishness against the Thunder.



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