The Oklahoma City Thunder are leveraging their bench shooters, notably Alex Caruso, to exploit the San Antonio Spurs' defensive strategy aimed at neutralizing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA). While SGA has struggled with his shooting in the playoffs, Caruso has stepped up, hitting over 61% from three-point range across the first two games of the series, helping the Thunder to a tied 1-1 matchup. The Spurs’ heavy focus on clogging the paint is leading to open shots for shooters, forcing them to rely on jump shots to win. This strategy, although effective in theory, risks allowing the Thunder's bench to thrive if they continue their current efficiency.

By the Numbers
  • Alex Caruso shot 61% from three, making 11 of 18 attempts through the first two games.
  • The Thunder’s bench scored 23 of their 30 three-pointers through two games.
State of Play
  • The series is tied 1-1, heading into Game 3.
  • Caruso scored 31 points in Game 1 and 17 points in Game 2 largely from wide-open shots.
What's Next

The Spurs are expected to maintain their defensive approach, focusing on slowing SGA's drives while hoping the Thunder's shooting efficiency will regress. As the series continues, adjustments to pay more attention to shooters like Caruso may be necessary to avoid giving up easy looks.

Bottom Line

The Thunder's success hinges on their ability to sustain perimeter shooting efficiency, challenging the Spurs' defensive strategy. If Caruso and the bench continue to capitalize on open shots, the Thunder could pose a significant threat in this playoff series.