Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Adjustments the Spurs can make ahead of Game 3 against the Thunder

The Western Conference Finals are deadlocked at 1-1 in what’s shaping up to be a classic series. It’s appointment viewing for hardcore hoop heads because it’s two 60+ win teams with one side having the MVP (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) and the other having the next face of the league, who is averaging 31 points and 20.5 rebounds (Victor Wembanyama).

Coach Mitch Johnson didn’t have an immediate update after Game 2 on Dylan’s Harper’s status. Harper is currently questionable for Friday’s outing. Additionally, Jalen Williams’s hamstring injury is somehow being treated as day-to-day by the OKC Thunder.

With the next two games in San Antonio, there’s a few things the Spurs could try to help take control of the series. Let’s review. 

Keldon Johnson needs more minutes

Keldon Johnson’s strength allows him to have success against bigger OKC players at close range. Keep in mind that all five of his rebounds in Game 2 were offensive.

The role of sixth man is important, but he is better than a 24-minute player in a high-stakes series. He can create his own shot and handle physicality better than Julian Champagnie, who should not be playing more than 27 minutes, but has to now if De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper are out for Game 3.

Consider how the lineup featuring Devin Vassell, Stephon Castle, Victor Wembanyama with Champagnie and Johnson has been one of their best in the playoffs, logging an excellent 105 defensive rating in 10 minutes. It’s never a bad idea to lean hard on the defense and while this unit hasn’t been tested for long spurts in the playoffs, it could turn into an ace in coach Johnson’s sleeve: it has two ball handlers, two snipers who can guard and a demigod.

The non-Wemby minutes

Luke Kornet played an important role in being the team’s reserve big man this seasion, yet it’s ideal to limit his minutes, potentially to less than the 10 he’s averaging. The Thunder are a bad matchup for him, and insist on attacking his weaknesses through screen rolls. 

There’s two solutions: use veteran Harrison Barnes as the backup center, which would bring in the threat of an accurate release valve who can guard up. A double would have to come to help depending on how deep his matchup catches an inside pass, but this must be considered since he can play at the level of the screen better than Kornet. 

Then there’s Carter Bryant, the extremely athletic and strong perimeter pest. He’s age 20, but like Harper, shouldn’t be looked at as a rookie anymore since they’ve lapped their peers in experience. Bryant can do all the things Barnes does defensively as a small-ball five at a higher level.  

Castle needs to cut down on turnovers 

The team is averaging 22 turnovers, and Castle is responsible for 10 per game. The Spurs are in a tricky situation here because De’Aaron Fox (ankle) is also questionable on the injury report. Assuming Fox and Harper don’t play, Castle has to step up with his ball security by not recklessly passing and driving into traffic.

Consider how the Thunder are only averaging 12 fastbreak points per game. The Spurs can be even sharper in getting back if they play with less mistakes.

Yet most importantly, they need to be cut down so Wemby has as many opportunities as possible with the ball. As much as pick-and-pop plays are useful, Castle needs to get him the ball closer to the rim in half-court actions so he doesn’t work as hard. In Game 2, the first shot Wemby took starting his offense inside the arc was in the third quarter, and nearly all of his possessions started from the outside. 

Perhaps Castle will make easier passes if Wemby is put in more motion.