8 blocks + 14 steals! More than just the offense! US media posted a photo: Defensive team = Thunder start

After the Thunder defeated the Timberwolves again today, they posted an interesting photo, combining the Thunder's starting five Tigers with the honor of "Defense Team", with the caption: "Defense Team = Thunder's starting lineup.

This joke originated from the Thunder's defensive dominance at the final level this season - in the game where G5 eliminated the Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals, they contributed 8 blocks + 14 steals in the whole game, limiting their opponent's score to 94 points, and the Timberwolves scored only 9 points in the first quarter, setting a record for the lowest score in a single quarter for life and death battles in the playoffs in the past 15 years.

Analysis of the Thunder's defensive dominance:

1. Team defensive efficiency

This season, the Thunder ranked second in the league with a defensive efficiency of 107.4, and even limited their opponents' scores to 102.3 points (first in the league). In the Western Conference Finals, they suppressed their opponents' average score to 103.2 points (12.5 points less than the regular season), and their shooting percentage was only 43.1%.

2. Star limiting ability

Timberwolves core Edwards averaged only 22.4 points per game in the Western Conference Finals, with a shooting percentage of 42.1%, lower than the regular season 28.8 points (51.3%). Randall was limited by Homgren, with a shooting percentage of only 17.4 points per game and a three-point shooting percentage of 28.6%.

3. The Thunder averaged 11.8 steals per game in the playoffs (1st in the league), and directly converted to 16.2 points per game through steals, and averaged 19.8 points per game in the fast break (2nd in the league), and defensive counterattack became an important scoring weapon.

Why did the US media dare to joke about "Defense first team = starter"?

Homegren's defensive efficiency this season was 105.6, averaging 2.2 blocks per game, and contributed "volleyball in the playoffs many times ”. As a new MVP, Alexander has an underestimated offense and defense attribute, and his long arms and prediction ability make him the back line gate.

The forward group composed of Wiggins + Williams has both height (both over 2 meters 03) and movement speed, and can be used to switch to the 1-4 position without limit.

As a blue-collar center, Harten uses top rebounds and positioning ability to fill the shortcomings of Homegren's confrontation. The "no-fly zone" composed of the two allows the opponent to The shooting percentage at the basket is only 58.9% (the third lowest in the playoffs).

The Thunder also has two big locks, namely Dort and Caruso. Their restrictions on counterparts are 100% driven. The entire series is a single point for Edwards, and two three-pointers in the third quarter help the team stabilize the situation and maintain a top 3D role. Although Caruso's shooting percentage is not very good, he is not only defending on the defensive end. , he can handle all of it. His judgment on cutting the ball is very good, and it can always cause opponents to make mistakes, and the pressure on defense is very high. In the finals, the defense of the two of them is still the key.

Outlook for the finals: Can the defense become the Thunder's winning code?

If the Thunder can continue this defensive intensity, they will have a clear advantage against the Eastern Conference champion (Pacers/Knicks): Against Pacers: You need to limit the mid-range distance between Hallebert and Siakam, and use the mobility of Homgren to interfere with the outside shooting.

Against Knicks: You need to focus on assisting Brunson's breakthrough, and use Williams and Wiggins' size to consume their impact. As the US media said: "When a team has both an MVP offensive core (Alexander averages 31.4 points per game) and a DPOY defensive system, they are only one last step away from the championship. "Thunder's defensive myth may have just begun.