As the NBA playoffs unfold, subtle yet critical statistics are shaping the outcomes of games, particularly regarding how teams apply pressure on their opponents. Among the teams generating notable performances, the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, and Minnesota Timberwolves have emerged as key players in the postseason narrative. While these teams may differ in their approaches to defensive strategy and offensive attack, their execution is the same. Pickup distances are especially important to analyze because…
Throughout the Indiana Pacers’ regular season, we saw a lot of their aggressive trapping defensive schemes. They registered the fifth-longest average pickup distance on half-court plays. The New York Knicks, by comparison, were the league leaders in pickup distance at 38 feet on average in the regular season. The Timberwolves intensified their defensive focus on superstars such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. More than anything, though, they excelled at applying their high-pressure tactics during those crucial moments in the playoffs.
These strategies came into play in a tangible way during Game 3 of the playoff series. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander proved why he’s an MVP candidate, turning in a playoff career-high 10 assists despite facing heavy defensive scrutiny from the Timberwolves. This article takes a closer look at how these metrics shape the playoffs and what they tell us about team philosophies today.
Aggressive Defensive Strategies
The Minnesota Timberwolves displayed their defensive acumen during the playoffs by consistently shooting their opponents with high ball pressure. More particularly, they made Shai Gilgeous-Alexander their main focus with almost an absurd, impressive level of intensity. It’s perhaps best illustrated by looking at how they performed on defense in Games 1 and 2. They per game picked up an average starting point of 48 feet (a.k.a.
By Game 3, though, this average pickup point increased drastically to 35 feet. The Timberwolves wanted to throw Gilgeous-Alexander off his groove from the opening possession. They appeared to change their approach once they saw how effective he was in previous outings.
The Oklahoma City Thunder completely crumbled in the face of this kind of weight. In Games 1 and 2, Gilgeous-Alexander scored only 0.73 points per possession when he was screened. That’s quite a fall from grace from his stellar 1.07 average in their first matchups against a tougher opponent.
“the more time you want the offense to waste, the farther up the floor you should apply pressure on the ball handler” – Jared Dubin for FiveThirtyEight
This philosophy underscores how critical it is for teams to adapt their defensive strategies based on their opponents’ strengths and weaknesses.
The Knicks’ Tactical Adjustments
Similarly, the New York Knicks showed deep conviction to using pressure tactics in their surprising playoff run. In Game 3 against their rivals, they increased their average pickup distance to an impressive 45 feet in the fourth quarter, marking their most aggressive quarter yet in this conference finals matchup.
That imposing pressure was all they needed to control the pace of the match, particularly when it mattered most. Their strategy was rewarded by winning that game. This hard fought win is a perfect example of how timely changes can turn the tide of a game.
Jalen Williams contributed significantly to this success, scoring a playoff career-high 34 points alongside Gilgeous-Alexander’s own standout performance of 40 points. Gilgeous-Alexander had one of his best-scoring games, but he actually had his lowest efficiency PnR game of the playoffs so far in this game.
Overall, the Knicks’ tactical evolution this season serves as a testament to the team’s capacity to adjust in the moment and take advantage of opportunities when they emerge.
The Broader Context of Pickup Distances
The Indiana Pacers, when they were going with their favoured, aggressive, defensive strategy. They go to work, deliberately targeting the most vulnerable ball handlers throughout the league. Their fifth-most distant pickup point on half-court possessions in the regular season shows their tactical fit with what’s being asked of teams in the playoffs right now.
Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic were two of the best at this, ranking 1st and 2nd respectively in average pickup points among all players with at least 1,000 half-court possessions logged last season. At the same time, stars such as Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo underwhelmed, posting the lowest average pickup point by a significant margin. This divergence is indicative of how teams and players are changing their games to find success in a rapidly evolving and more difficult defensive landscape.
As teams head deeper into the playoffs, understanding these dynamics are key. This gives us the ability to analyze performance trends and forecast results in crucial playoff matchups.
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