Can OKC's defense shut down Chicago's fast breaks? Will Buzelis' corner threes extend the game? Williams' impact is crucial.
Oklahoma City begins a five-game home stretch by hosting Josh Giddey and the rebuilding Chicago Bulls. Chet Holmgren is the only rotation player sidelined for OKC, while the Bulls’ injury report is lengthy.
San Antonio sits only two games back of the one seed, so Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and company must get back on track after a tough loss to Boston.
Check out three key matchups to monitor for this contest.
Thunder’s Transition Defense
Chicago struggles to score in the half court, but it averages the second-most transition points per game and ranks ninth in effective field goal percentage on transition shot attempts. Josh Giddey excels at leading fast breaks, and Matas Buzelis is his best target. Neutralizing this duo would cripple a key source of points for the Bulls.
Oklahoma City’s defense allows the fewest transition points per game across the NBA, so the reigning champs are well-equipped to accomplish this feat. It may be worth abandoning the offensive glass during the non-Isaiah Hartenstein minutes in order to make sure the defense is set.
The Thunder held the Bulls to six fast break points in the previous matchup on March 3, so there is a recent precedent of Oklahoma City snuffing out Chicago’s transition offense.
Bulls’ Shooting From Corners
Neutralizing star scorers and deterring paint attempts are the two main goals for Oklahoma City’s defense. It wants to funnel shots to role players with shaky jumpers, and opponents subsequently tend to rack up a lot of corner attempts against the Thunder.
The champs have surrendered the third-highest corner attempt rate (13.7%) since the All-Star break, while Chicago’s offense ranks seventh in corner attempt rate (12.2%) during this span. Can the Bulls knock down triples and keep the game closer than expected? Matas Buzelis, Isaac Okoro, Leonard Miller and Guerschon Yabusele will be key to this endeavor.
Jalen Williams’ Impact
Jalen Williams has played two contests since missing 16 games due to a hamstring strain. He excelled against Philadelphia to the tune of 18 points, four rebounds and six assists on 8-of-14 shooting from the field.
However, Williams struggled mightily versus Boston. He went 2-for-9 from the field and did not make a huge defensive impact despite the Thunder desperately needing him to guard Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Which version of Williams will appear against the Bulls? If he is in top form, then it’s difficult to see the Bulls being competitive through the second half.