Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs Andrew Wiggins Key to Warriors-Thunder Game-NBC Sports Bay Area & California

Warriors know what they’re up to Wednesday night when facing Oklahoma City, which is the bossing of the NBA this season. Thunder has the best record, the best defense, the best net assessment and the leading candidate for the most valuable player.

The best approach to beating the thunder (37-8) begins with containing Point Guard Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderMVP candidate and the best game Maestro in the league.

Golden State (23-23) will ask Andrew Wiggins To be its first line of defense – and hope that it will not come to the award for Wiggins’ violation. Warriors need both.

While not exactly describing Gilgeous-Alexander as a “shooting game,” he leads the league in the scoring (32.1 points per game). He shoots 52.8 percent from the field, including 35.1 percent from distance. To the extent he is number two in the NBA in free throwing (8.3 per battle) and only in Makes (7.5), is the priority to keep him away from the line.

The problem that Warriors face is that Gilgeous-Alexander uses smart and angles as they wade into the paint to make contact. Can Wiggins defend without the enthusiasm? In OKC’s last loss to Dallas Maverick’s last Thursday, Gilgeous-Alexander shot only six free throw. He shot only four in a loss to Cleveland Cavaliers three weeks ago.

Golden State coach Steve Kerr generally believes in fighting for a Star Ball trader with a rotating crew of defenders. Gary Payton II gets a few turns; He can even start. Moses Moody and Lindy Waters III could also be called.

Although SGA is the undisputed star, Thunder has a deep group of two-way swing-with Jalen Williams and Luguentz Dort Leads the way – which has a clear understanding of the team’s defensive principles and offensive strategies. No team is better at turning defense into offense as OKC leads NBA in points off turnover while the fewest points from their gifts. They simply do not beat themselves.

Thunder’s most exploited weakness is rebounding, which ranks 23. In the league. Only the miserable Washington Wizards allow more second chance points than Thunder. Dallas tip PJ Washington Savaged OKC for 22 points and 19 rebounds to anchor Mavericks’ victory last week.

Translation: Attacking the offensive glass is important for Warriors – which ranks third in the overall rebounding and fourth in offensive rebounding – to give themselves a reasonable chance of drawing the disturbance. Limiting Gilgeous-Alexander is only the first step.

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