MIAMI – On the road, taking hold of the momentum early on can make the difference for how the entire night will play out. Tonight against the Miami Heat, the Thunder wants to get off to a better start than it did on Monday night in Atlanta. The team knows that in order to do so, it must execute on the principles that have bred success over the years.
Defensively, the Thunder will have to battle a Heat team that has a variety of different weapons and players who are more than capable of generating their own shots. Staying in front of the ball in transition and in the half court will be paramount to success tonight.
“We have to get back, we have to protect the paint,” forward Kevin Durant said. “We have to build out to shooters. That’s what every team in the league is trying to get in the paint and trying to shoot threes. We have our work cut out.”
Watch: 'We Have to Protect the Paint'
On the offensive end, the Thunder wants to move the Miami defense around to the point that advantage situations are created. Attacking one side of the floor, then swinging the ball to the weak side forces defenses to rotate over and close out, which can manufacture driving lanes. Those chances to attack can lead to layups, drawn fouls, or kick-outs to open shooters.
“If we play the right way and move the ball from side to side it puts teams in a bind defensively with the pace we play at and athleticism,” guard Russell Westbrook explained.
Watch: 'Read and React'
Attacking a Shot Blocker
The Heat’s Hassan Whiteside leads the league, by leaps and bounds, in blocked shots per game at 4.7 per contest, meaning the Thunder will have to manufacture ways to get to the rim unimpeded. Spacing the floor, moving the defense and forcing Whiteside to defend away from the basket are all ways the Thunder can create lanes to the rim.
“We can’t run in there thinking that we have a layup,” Durant said. “But we also can’t be scared of him. He blocks four or five shots a game, but nobody here is afraid of him, we’re still going try to go at him. We just have to be smart.”
In a battle between the two teams averaging the most blocks per game, Donovan’s group has some internal knowledge of how to attack shot blockers thanks to having to compete against Serge Ibaka every night.
Watch and Listen: Coach Donovan's Thoughts Before Tipoff
Broadcast Information:
Tip-off: 7:00 p.m. CT
Television: Fox Sports Oklahoma
Radio: WWLS the Sports Animal and the Thunder Radio Network