Chet Holmgren Should Attack Suns Lack of Frontcourt Depth in Round 1
The No. 1-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder match up nicely with the Phoenix Suns in a number of sides, with that being proven in sport and collection projections as nicely. The Thunder are favored by 13.5 factors in accordance with ESPN, one of the very best level spreads in NBA playoff historical past.
For one particular Thunder All-Star, this matchup will likely be good for him to start what may very well be one other profitable postseason run on a excessive be aware. Chet Holmgren must take benefit of a weak Suns frontcourt, particularly if they’re lacking their beginning huge in the collection opener.
commercial
Suns heart Mark Williams is listed as questionable for Game 1, however Holmgren has proven excessive success in 4 appearances in opposition to the eight seed this season. The Gonzaga product averaged 19.5 factors, 7.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per sport in opposition to the Valley Boyz this season.
In these video games, Holmgren shot extremely environment friendly as nicely, recording splits of 64.4% from the ground, 53.3% from 3-point vary and 80% from the free-throw line. The All-NBA hopeful recorded two 20-plus-point efforts in opposition to the Suns as nicely, with the Thunder recording wins in each video games.
Both of Holmgren’s 20-point efforts got here in high-leverage environments, the NBA Cup, with him scoring 23 factors in the Thunder’s 123-119 win in the group stage sport. He scored 24 factors and blocked three photographs in Oklahoma City‘s 138-89 demolition of Phoenix in the knockout spherical matchup.
Holmgren scored 18 factors and grabbed 9 rebounds in the Thunder’s lone loss this season to this Suns crew with him in the lineup, dropping by three factors off a Devin Booker game-winner, however he nonetheless succeeded. Holmgren performed simply 21 minutes in his last look in opposition to Phoenix this season, scoring 13 factors in a dominant 136-109 victory on Feb. 11.
commercial
“I’m extremely excited,” Holmgren mentioned concerning the playoffs. “I feel really good right now.”
The Suns have excessive impression from guards and wings, however have lacked in frontcourt depth all through this season, costing them wins. Williams and Ighodaro Bear headline their heart rotation, however their solely different occasional rotation huge is first-round decide Khaman Maluachas wings are ample in their position participant rotation.
In a league that’s starting to observe a pattern with “double-big” lineups filling each matchup, this type of roster development is uncommon for a playoff crew. Holmgren, alongside along with his frontcourt companions Jaylin Williams and Isaiah Hartensteinis predicted to have success in this matchup.
This article was initially revealed on www.si.com/nba/thunder/onsi as (*1*).