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ESPN Lists Five Urgent Issues for Thunder to Solve in G2: Enhance Finishing Ability and Corner Defen

fan管理员 2025-06-09

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Game 2 of the Thunder-Pacers Finals tips off today. Despite forcing 25 turnovers—setting a 21st-century Finals single-game record—and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 38 points, the Thunder lost 110-111 at home in Game 1, surrendering home-court advantage.

Before Game 2, Oklahoma City must quickly address key flaws to avoid a 0-2 hole. Here are the five critical issues ESPN identified for the Thunder to solve:

1. Reset Mentality to Avoid Losing Streak

The Thunder need to bounce back from this "abnormal" loss. Recall their response after a Game 1 loss to Denver in the Western Semifinals: a 149-106 blowout win in Game 2. Shai's composure is vital, but the team must unite—unlike the Knicks, who collapsed with back-to-back home losses in the Eastern Finals.

2. Revive Production from Wing Stars

Alexander carried the load alone in Game 1, while Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren underperformed:

ESPN Lists Five Urgent Issues for Thunder to Solve in G2: Enhance Finishing Ability and Corner Defen 第1张

Williams: 6-19 FG (1-10 from deep)
Holmgren: 2-9 FG, 6 points, benched in crunch time

The Thunder started rookie Carson Wallace over Isaiah Hartenstein, expecting Holmgren to anchor the paint—but he failed to deliver. In contrast, the Pacers' frontcourt shined: Myles Turner (15p/9r) and Obi Toppin (17p, 5-5 3PT off the bench).

3. Improve Offensive Flow and Ball Movement

Indiana's strategy—let Alexander iso, clamp others—worked:

Thunder had 208 passes (season-low) and 13 assists (well below playoff averages)
Stagnant offense left role players invisible in clutch moments

OKC must generate more ball movement to create open looks and ease pressure on Shai.

4. Fix Abysmal Finishing Efficiency

Despite 19 first-quarter turnovers, the Thunder couldn't pull away due to poor finishing:

20-36 (55.6%) at the rim, 3-18 on floaters
1-9 shooting vs. Myles Turner in the paint
Only 8 points off 19 turnovers (well below 1.4 points per TO season average)

Turner's paint protection neutralized OKC's interior attack, exposing a critical weakness.

5. Shore Up Corner 3-Point Defense

The Thunder's Achilles' heel:

Pacers shot 10-16 (78%) from corners in Game 1 (9-7 in second half)
Many open looks stemmed from rotation breakdowns or communication errors

Indiana excels at creating weak-side opportunities; OKC must tighten defensive rotations to eliminate easy triples.

Conclusion

Though Game 1 stung, the Thunder remain favored. Resetting mentally, activating wings, improving ball movement, sharpening finishing, and shoring up corners are non-negotiable for their first franchise title. With the Pacers gaining momentum, Game 2 is a must-win for OKC's championship hopes.

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