Griffin a unique challenge for top-ranked defense
The Thunder has the top defense in the NBA partly because it can switch defensive assignments at multiple positions. That means plenty of work for
Jerami Grant.
Since the 6-foot-9 Grant can guard every position on the floor, it makes for extra defensive work for the 24-year-old, as well as Steven Adams and Paul George.
"You just gotta watch a lot of film," Grant said. "You gotta know all the players on the court’s tendencies, things they like to do.
"Once you get that down, it’s pretty much just going out and doing it from there."
Entering Monday’s game against Detroit, the Thunder has the No. 1 defense in the NBA, allowing just 101.4 points per 100 possessions. The Thunder's defense has another unique challenge Monday in Pistons forward
Blake Griffin, who is leading Detroit in points (24.9) and assists (5.1) per game while just coming in second to Reggie Jackson in 3-point attempts per game with 6.1.
Every power forward in today’s NBA comes with a different skill set and challenge. Atlanta’s John Collins isn’t Griffin. The Thunder wanted to sit back and take away Collins’ rolls to the basket no matter who was defending him.
With Griffin, it’s different. “He’s shooting threes, he’s putting the ball on the floor, he’s playing in pick-and-roll, he’s using pick-and-rolls,” Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. “He’s kind of all over the place.”
So are the Thunder’s defenders. Adams and Grant are often defending multiple positions on a single possession. Among players playing 15 minutes or more per game this season, Adams and Grant are 14th and 15th in the league, respectively, in points allowed per 100 possessions.
With Grant’s gifts of length and athleticism comes added responsibility that could be overwhelming.
Grant doesn’t look at it that way.
“No,” he said. “I’ve been doing it for a long time now so I’m pretty used to it.”
Tip ins
Donovan said Terrance Ferguson (left ankle sprain) and Hamidou Diallo (left ankle sprain) each went through contact practice on Sunday, but Diallo was removed from contact after experiencing some soreness. Ferguson and Diallo will be reevaluated Monday before their status is determined against Detroit . ... The Thunder assigned Abdel Nader to the G League Oklahoma City Blue on Sunday so he could play against the Agua Caliente Clippers in Oklahoma City. Nader will join the Thunder on its three-game road trip.