The NBA Playoffs second round is set to begin for the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder as they face the reigning champion Denver Nuggets tonight. The Nuggets advanced after winning their first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 7.
Oklahoma City enters the series following a sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies. That series highlighted the Thunder's strong defense and their ability to force turnovers, leading to fastbreak opportunities.
Denver also relies on its defense, particularly against a Thunder offense led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. During the regular season matchups between the two teams, the Nuggets utilized various coverages, including zone defenses, to try and slow down Oklahoma City's attack.
Jamal Murray presents a scoring challenge for the Thunder's perimeter defenders. He will likely face defensive pressure from players like Alex Caruso and Luguentz Dort. The Thunder aim to use their defensive intensity to disrupt Denver's offense.
The Nuggets' offense performed adequately against the Thunder in the regular season. Nikola Jokić averaged a triple-double in those contests, impacting the Thunder's strategy with their frontcourt players like Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.
For the Thunder, lineup decisions remain a point of discussion. While Alex Caruso performed well in the first round, particularly on defense, the Thunder's coaches seem to prefer him coming off the bench to provide energy and defense, often closing games.
Rebounding could be a factor, as taking a larger player like Hartenstein out of the starting lineup could create disadvantages against Denver's size. The Thunder showed improvement in rebounding this season but still face challenges in that area.
Denver must prioritize ball security against Oklahoma City. The Thunder led the league in steals during the regular season and increased that average in their first-round series. Limiting turnovers will be important for the Nuggets to prevent the Thunder from generating easy points.
The series opener is scheduled for Monday evening in Denver.
