Oklahoma City Thunder: 3 Suggestions For Game 3

2 of 4

Apr 16, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) attempts to score during the first quarter against the Houston Rockets in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Get Steven Adams More Involved

Over the first two games of the series, the New Zealand native is 5-of-9 from the field in just under 56 minutes of floor time.

Despite a small sample size, Adams’ numbers are noticeably down from last year’s playoff run when many pointed to him as one of the blossoming bigs in the association.

Playoffs Per Game Table
Season	Age	Tm	Lg	Pos	G	GS	MP	FG	FGA	FG%	FT	FTA	FT%	ORB	DRB	TRB	BLK	PTS
2015-16	22	OKC	NBA	C	18	18	30.7	3.8	6.2	.613	2.6	4.1	.630	3.4	6.1	9.5	0.8	10.1
2016-17	23	OKC	NBA	C	2	2	27.5	2.5	4.5	.556	0.5	2.0	.250	2.0	4.0	6.0	1.0	5.5
Career	NBA	38	20	24.7	2.7	4.3	.630	1.4	2.6	.550	2.3	4.4	6.8	1.1	6.9

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/20/2017.

Houston’s strategy is to clog the lane and limit any penetration from Westbrook and one of the NBA’s worst shooting teams, which spells danger for Adams. Still, Westbrook is among the very best in inventing space to create something, and he and Adams have built a nice two-man chemistry.

Force feeding the seven-footer for his patented push floaters in the lane and mechanical but effective post moves early could be a useful strategy to get Adams involved and engaged on both ends. He’s certainly the best option out of all of the Thunder’s slow-footed behemoths against the stretchy, versatile Rockets.

Home/Oklahoma City Thunder