Vol 3 Chapter 504: Raptors' defense

Judging from the paper strength of both sides, the Thunder has the upper hand. Especially on the offensive end, the Thunder backcourt, which is compatible with explosive power and stability, has given the Raptors tremendous pressure.
However, the Raptors' defense is very good.
Although they usually only use eight players to rotate games, there are several players who have excellent defense in these eight people. Both Leonard and Gasol have entered the best defensive team and even won the best defensive player award in the regular season. Their defensive strength and ability on the inside and outside are at the top of the league. Danny Green is an ace 3D player produced by the Spurs, and his restriction on the opponent's backcourt players is obvious. Lowry is currently the player who has made the most offensive fouls in the playoffs. He is physically strong and has the ability to shrink quickly and cope. Both Ibaka and Siakam are players with high height and fast arm length, especially Siakam. When defensive, the ball is sturdy, energetic, focused, and can maximize their speed and wingspan advantages. You can also defend the perimeter and keep up with the smaller players.
The player's defensive ability is outstanding, and Nas's defensive strategy is also good. The two are integrated, and the power of the defensive end is greatly improved. In this season, the Raptors have always been the top defensive team in the league. In the regular season, the Raptors' average points per game are second only to the Thunder, comparable to the Celtics, Jazz, and Pacers.
In the playoffs, their defense went even further.
In the Eastern Conference semifinals, facing the 76ers full of long men, Nass lined up the twin towers. Although Ibaka was not directly included in the starting lineup, for a long time, he and Gasol were both present at the same time. This is a bold adventure. After all, in today's league, small lineups and fast-paced tactics are the mainstream. When Siakam played with injuries and his strength was greatly compromised, Nass timely changes were very effective, and it well limited the Sixers' five major lineups. Ibaka and Gasol are very good defensively, they almost blocked the entire penalty area. At the same time, Gasol's playing time overlapped with Joel Embiid's playing time extremely. Under his defense, Embiid, known as the league's first center, even scored 11 points.
By the Eastern Conference Finals, the role of defense in the game became even greater. In the beginning, the Bucks played smoothly at home. The group of shooters on the outside line are like the Tigers down the mountain, and the Raptors' striker can't stop them. There is no way to take Antetokounmpo on the inside. Gasol is slow and Ibaka is older. The mobility and flexibility are far inferior to Antetokounmpo, so he can only be slashed inside.
But after returning to Toronto, Nas decisively adjusted his defensive strategy.
In the first three quarters, the Raptors players mainly used physical confrontations to consume Antetokounmbo, double-team him, consume him, let him play the ball to teammates, and try not to let him mix in the low post and inside. In the fourth quarter, the Raptors began to change their strategy. Contrary to the first three quarters, when Antetokounmpo was holding the ball from the three-point line, he placed him two meters away and watched him hold the ball near the free throw line.
At this time, Antetokounmpo hesitated instead. He tried two methods to deal with the situation. One is a breakthrough. But because the opponent's defensive distance is well grasped, he can't get rid of his opponent, nor can he rely on his body. After rushing up, he will definitely be double-defensively by the Raptors on both sides and it is quite difficult to break into the inside. The other is to split the ball to teammates. But it is difficult! If you give the ball directly from outside the three-point line, no one in the Bucks can handle the ball at this critical moment. Middleton is still too young. If you want him to play singles at a critical moment, it is better to let Antetokounmpo play hard to the basket. If the ball is scored in the breakthrough, Antetokounmpo's own passing awareness and ability are very limited, the passing intention is too obvious, and it is easy to be pre-judged steals. If you come to a counterattack with such a steal at a critical moment, it will be very morale hurt.
In the next finals, the defense of both sides will definitely play a very important role in the game. However, when the Raptors' opponent changed to the Thunder, their defense must be another scene.
From the perspective of the players on both sides, the two sides will not make too many adjustments in the lineup. Lowry's defense of Westbrook is not an advantage, nor will he have much disadvantage. As a steal in Raptors history, Lowry's ability on the defensive end allows him to limit most players in the same position. Of course, Westbrook is also good at those things. Green defends An Luo, this will be a point that affects the trend of the game. In this league, there are not many people who can restrict An Luo one-on-one, and even fewer people can restrict An Luo while running without the ball. Danny Green is a very good 3D, even if his current "3" is getting less and less reliable, but the defense is getting stronger. The third position is the most tit-for-tat position in the game. Leonard and Paul George are both offensive and defensive players. Whoever can have the upper hand will greatly affect the number of wins and losses in the game. In the internal competition, the Raptors are ahead. Whether it is Grant facing Siakam or Adams facing Gasol, it is difficult to play a good enough performance.
It is worth noting that Gasol may pull to the outside to defend, allowing Green to strengthen the inside defense. They did this to the Bucks. However, due to Adams's lack of outside range, the Raptors do not need to change defenses, just stick to the initial matchup.
If the Thunder play three-pointers without the ball tactics, the Raptors' excellent defensive ability will not give them a chance to shoot three-pointers directly. If they force a shot, the shooting rate cannot be guaranteed. And what can be expected is that An Luo will definitely receive special care from the other party, and he may not be able to provide much help to Thunder.
But this defense is a double-edged sword. Oklahoma City can not only score with Anlo. Once he attracts enough defensive power from the Raptors, Paul George, Westbrook and Grant will have more and better opportunities.
More importantly, the Raptors' defense is good, but the Thunder's defense is not bad. Under the same defensive intensity, the Raptors will definitely face greater pressure. Even if Leonard is good enough, in previous games, he can always rely on his personal ability to help the team get out of the quagmire. But as the defending champion, the Thunder will certainly not give him that opportunity. As long as their defense keeps Leonard in the rhythm of a solo attack, the game will become easier.