The Clippers lost to the Thunder 107-126, losing without any temper.
Harden returned to his peak with 17 points in the first quarter, but the Thunder did not panic at all: Harden retreated honestly, and Dortmund, Wallace, Alexander, and Caruso took turns chasing the 36-year-old Harden around the pick-and-roll, focusing on a strategy of attriting the enemy.
Harden's 22 points in the first half were really impressive. In the second half, the Thunder switched to double-teaming and forced Harden to play the ball in the pick-and-roll. Harden only scored 3 points in the second half. The Clippers were outscored 70-50 by the Thunder in the second half and were taken away without a fight.
What is really scary about the Thunder is the thickness of the lineup. The 10 players rotate before garbage time, all players are on the defensive line, and everyone except Harten has three-point range. The Clippers' last four-pointer against Alexander, the Thunder Jigsaw players hit 14 three-pointers; once the Clippers guarded man-to-man, Alexander had 18 points and 5 assists in a single quarter - two bottles of poison, take your pick, and the Thunder started the season 8-0.
The Clippers were unable to defend Dunn, Jones, and Batum, but these three important defensive players made a total of 5 of 15 three-pointers. Dunn and Jones Jr., in particular, had been strategically left out. Paul and Luo on the bench were targeted indefinitely due to their age. The young Thunder team effortlessly defeated their old comrades in the transition period, and a 17-0 wave stunned Harden who was sitting on the court.
The Thunder excel in depth and balance, which is obviously something the Clippers do not possess.
Since Kawhi and Bill took back-to-back rotations, Lu guided the starting lineup of Harden + Dunn + Jones + Batum + Zubac. This is Harden's most comfortable "Rockets system."
The Clippers have three 3D players, Dunn, Jones, and Batum, at positions 2-4. They all have three-point range, defense, and ball handling abilities. The three of them guard Harden and Zubac to start the high pick-and-roll. Harden leads the pick-and-roll inside (Zubac/Capella) + 3D puzzle (Ariza/Tucker/Dunn/Jones/Batum), changing the soup without changing the medicine. This mode is very demanding of the offensive state of the ball and the core. Harden made a perfect start in this campaign.
The Thunder did not dare to let Hatten switch to guard Harden, so Dortmund could only chase around the screen alone. Harden used the single screen to create a strong punishment effect: using the screen to break through to cause damage, using the screen to score 3+1 in singles, and allowing Dortmund to commit two fouls early. The round that best reflects the discomfort of the Thunder's defensive lineup with a large lineup: Zubac hand-to-hand to Harden, Harden catches the ball and directly pulls out a three-pointer, bullying Harden and unable to get out. As long as the Thunder do not double-attack, Harden simply does not feel too comfortable.
Zubac and Jones grabbed 3 offensive rebounds in the first quarter, and Harden and Dunn directly benefited from the fixed-point three-pointers in the second attack. Jigsaw's blue-collar team does the dirty work, and the offense is handed over to Harden. Everyone performs their duties, and the three armies are responsible for their lives.
The Clippers also made special arrangements on the defensive end, shrinking to surround Alexander. Dort in the left corner and Wallace in the right corner were all released, and the priority was to shrink and protect the penalty area - try to limit the breakthrough of the Thunder generals led by Alexander, and test the Thunder's open three-pointers from the corners.
Alexander could not easily enter the three-second zone. The Thunder made only 4 of 11 open three-pointers in the first quarter. The Clippers relied on Harden's attack and the defense of role players to establish a 13-point lead at most during the Thunder's misalignment period.
The Thunder used Dortmund, Wallace, and Caruso to battle to consume Harden, and used a small lineup to drive the offense through defense, and came from behind to achieve a lead.
Dortmund is already a top defensive player, but Harden's ability to read the defense and draw fouls made Dortmund lose his temper. He committed four fouls in less than 15 minutes of play. Coach Daignault used a set of combination punches to consume Harden, Dort→Wallace→Caruso, crouching inside to block breakthroughs, squeezing screens from the outside to force Harden to go to the right, appropriately leaving Jones and Dunn open for three-pointers in the corners, and all the defensive pressure was put on Harden. Even so, Harden still delivered a perfect performance of 22 points and 4 assists in the first half.
The Clippers couldn't guard against the Thunder. Alexander's single thrust and the open three-pointers of the Thunder shooters were like two bottles of poison.
Although the Clippers' one-on-four strategy limited Alexander's half-time shots to 6, Alexander sent out 7 assists - the number of assists was greater than the number of shots. The Clippers' targeted defense against Alexander in the first half was very successful.
Alexander singled out to attract help, and had 12 assists in three quarters. Others in the Thunder were wide open for three-pointers. As Joe, Wallace, Caruso, and Wiggins found the three-point accuracy, the Thunder soared into 7 three-pointers in the third quarter. Alexander had 18 points and 5 assists in a single quarter. The Thunder used the thickness of the lineup to easily achieve the lead.
The Thunder double-teamed Harden in the pick-and-roll, and the Clippers also double-teamed Alexander. In the end, the pressure was put on Jigsaw players, and the Clippers' bench lineup collapsed.
The Thunder are not only stronger than Alexander alone, defense is their foundation. Since the start of the season, the Thunder are ranked first in the league in defensive efficiency and fifth in offensive efficiency. Last season, they led the league in defensive efficiency. Even with Williams missing 8 games and Holmgren and Caruso missing 3 games each, they still played the best defense in the league.
The Thunder's per-capita defensive capabilities on the outside are above average, and they have the twin towers of Harten and Holmgren on the inside. The Clippers' bench fell behind by 19 points when Harden took a break.
Coach Lu relies heavily on Harden/Kawhi Kawhi, Paul's fuel tank is not in ideal condition, and the team needs Collins to add firepower in the transition period. Especially the defense of the substitute positions 1 and 5 is currently a big problem.
Regardless of lineup or chemical reaction, the Clippers are still in the exploratory stage. They started the season with 3 wins and 4 losses. This result is not surprising.
This battle intuitively reflects the gap between the Clippers and the defending champion Thunder, the top team in the championship. In terms of offensive and defensive balance, comprehensive quality of personnel, game discipline, head coach's coaching ability, etc., the Thunder are the more advantageous side..
The Thunder made the best start in team history with an 8-0 start, maintaining the league's first defensive efficiency last season. The entire team's play style and model reflect confidence and maturity.
What is certain is that the Thunder have become stronger than last season. What is even more frightening is that Jaylen Way has not returned yet!
source:vn 7m