The Thunder weren’t very successful last year in the NBA Cup when it was implemented in the NBA. They went 1-3 and missed advancing to the knockout rounds of the NBA Cup. This season, the Thunder wanted to change that and have a more successful NBA Cup performance. The Thunder did exactly that, going an impressive 3-1 while claiming the first seed in the West knockout rounds. They will begin their journey by taking on the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, December 10th, the team that knocked the Thunder out of the NBA playoffs last year. The Thunder are hoping to win the NBA Cup and not just be a one-and-done team. Let’s dive into three key areas for the Thunder to win the NBA Cup.
How The Thunder Can Win the NBA Cup
Turning Defense into Offense
The NBA Cup is similar to the NBA playoffs as the play slows down, and it turns into more of a half-court game. This is due to the team’s game planning more against their opponent and being more prepared for what their opponent likes to do. Notably, this will affect the Thunder the most as they constantly force the other team into turnovers. The Thunder lead the NBA in opponent turnovers forced with 19.2, and they lead the NBA in steals per game with 12.1. These two stats have been very crucial in why the Thunder have the number one defense in the NBA.
However, in the NBA Cup and the NBA playoffs, there are fewer fast-break points scored and fewer turnovers as the play slows down. The Thunder won’t be able to rely on their greatest strength as much during this NBA Cup run. Furthermore, if the Thunder can still force turnovers and get steals when the game slows down, it will give them a huge advantage against their opponent. The Thunder were able to do this a year ago in the playoffs and will be looking to do it again this year.
Limiting Second Chance Points
Ultimately, the Thunder’s ability to turn defense into offense won’t be the deciding factor for them to win. They will also have to do other things well. One of those other things is limiting the opponent’s second-chance opportunities. This was one of the main reasons why the Thunder were eliminated last year in the playoffs. They are also facing the same team that eliminated them in the playoffs last year in the NBA Cup. This was the main factor in the Thunder signing Isaiah Hartenstein in the offseason for help in that department.
However, the Thunder are still allowing the most second-chance points with 16.1 per game. In addition, they are tied in second to last in defensive rebound percentage at 67.3%. These numbers, being as high as they are, are mainly due to the Thunder playing this whole season without a healthy center or with only one healthy center. That will be the case as well in the NBA Cup. Since Chet Holmgren is out till at least the end of January, and Jaylin Williams is also out for at least the first game. Hartenstein is the OKC’s only healthy center. The Thunder will have to do a better job of rebounding and limiting the opponent’s second-chance points, especially in the minutes Hartenstein isn’t on the floor.
Shooting Well From Three
Finally, the last thing the Thunder need to do well is shoot well from three. Last season, the Thunder led the NBA in three-point percentage but weren’t a high-volume shooting team. The Thunder are attempting almost six more per game, but it has cost them in efficiency as they rank 19th in three-point percentage. This season, they have been more streaky from beyond the arc, with some games shooting well and others shooting poorly. This is something that will have to change in the NBA Cup for them to have success.
Another reason why they lost to the Dallas Mavericks a year ago in the NBA playoffs was their inability to knock down threes. The Thunder will have to rely on their sharpshooters, Isaiah Joe, Jalen Williams, Lu Dort, and others, to knock down shots. In addition, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is trying to work on his three-point shot, will also have to have good games shooting from a distance. When the Thunder are shooting well from distance, in addition to everything else they do, OKC is nearly impossible to beat.
The Last Word
When the Thunder begin their NBA Cup journey against the Mavericks, they will need to do these three things well to have success not only against them but everyone else. If they can do the three things listed above well, the Thunder will have a great chance at being the second team to win the NBA Cup. It will also be a great blueprint for them to build off of for their journey in April in trying to claim the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
