Windhorst: The top five takeaways from the opening weekend of the NBA playoffs
In March 2000, LeBron James participated in what was, at that time, the most significant game of his life: the state championship match at Ohio State.
The tall freshman converted 10 of 12 attempts, secured nine rebounds, and tallied 25 points, strongly suggesting that he was destined for greatness. Nevertheless, the standout player of that game was another freshman, Dru Joyce, who made seven 3-pointers. His shooting performance dismantled the opponent’s zone defense, marking the beginning of various strategies aimed at containing James.
Luke Kennard was just 3 years old at that time. Fast forward fifteen years, and he surpassed James’ Ohio high school career scoring record. Kennard’s five 3-pointers and 27 points in the Lakers’ Game 1 triumph over the Houston Rockets on Saturday served as a reminder that, even after 26 years, the narrative remains largely unchanged.
Over the years, while the players have evolved, the effective strategy continues to yield results. When the pressure is on, placing the ball in James’ hands, spacing the floor, and allowing him to orchestrate the offense with shooters moving around him remains a winning formula.
This playoff principle has persisted throughout nearly two decades of James’ remarkable career.
The roster of players who have transformed playoff games with flurries of 3-pointers while playing alongside James is extensive: Damon Jones, Daniel Gibson, Wally Szczerbiak, Shane Battier, Mike Miller, Matthew Dellavedova, JR Smith, Kyle Korver, Danny Green, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Review the box scores and highlights — even that 2000 match is available on YouTube. Most of these shots were created through James’ assists, his hockey assists, screens, or simply by drawing the attention of multiple defenders.
This was evident in Game 1 on Saturday, when James once again took on the role of the ultimate facilitator, distributing eight of his 13 assists in the opening quarter.
“He showed exceptional leadership throughout,” Lakers coach JJ Redick remarked about James. “We discussed all week about being connected offensively and trusting the pass. He guided us.”
One of the key takeaways from the NBA’s opening playoff weekend is a lesson that has been around for 25 years. Provide James with a shooter (or three) and the ball, and his team can still secure victories in significant games using traditional methods.
Hereβs a look at several other insights gained as the eight playoff series commenced:
The Cavs introduced a new defensive approach — and it proved effective
The Cleveland Cavaliers faced defensive challenges for a large portion of the latter half of the season. In addition to injuries that hindered their ability to establish rhythm — coach Kenny Atkinson utilized 24 different players and 41 starting lineups — their 15th-ranked defense raised concerns as they entered the playoffs.
However, in their Game 1 win against the Toronto Raptors, the Cavs revealed a disciplined and strategic game plan that focused on the Raptors’ leading scorer, Brandon Ingram.
During the regular season, Ingram averaged 20 shots per game against the Cavs, his third-highest total against any Eastern Conference team, as he was clearly the Raptors’ primary option when facing Cleveland.
On Saturday, the Cavs, beginning with his main defender Dean Wade, closely monitored Ingram from the onset of possessions. He concluded the game with only nine shots, managing just one in the second half. Although he reached the free-throw line 10 times, the Cavaliers not only limited his scoring but also made it challenging for him to even receive the ball.
Toronto’s situation was further complicated by the absence of starting point guard Immanuel Quickley due to a right hamstring injury, and the Cavs lightly guarded replacement Jamal Shead, who made five 3-pointers. However, the Cavs were pleased that Shead attempted two more shots than Ingram.
“They tried to deny me the ball every time I went down the floor,” Ingram stated. “Clearly, they were aware of most of the plays we’ve been running all year. … We need to figure out how to adjust for the next game and ensure that strategy isn’t too effective.”
The Cavs also slowed the pace, a tactic that will be part of their strategy throughout the playoffs. Cleveland is already among the slowest teams in the league — James Harden is a significant factor — and Toronto managed only three fast-break points.
Lose the turnover battle in OKC, and it’s game over
The Thunder had to secure two Game 7 victories last year on their path to the title, but that obscures just how dominant they were at home last spring.
Their average home victory margin during the Western Conference playoffs last year was 29 points. Including the playoffs and NBA Cup, they hold a record of 149-40 over the past two seasons, despite facing considerable injuries.
After defeating the Suns by 35 points in Sunday’s Game 1, the Thunder’s average margin of victory in first-round home games over the last two years stands at … 35 points.
Oklahoma City was formidable on Sunday. The Suns were fatigued after playing a third game in three cities within six days against the rested Thunder, but the efficiency of their performance highlighted what it will take to defeat them four times in a series.
The most crucial under-the-radar statistic of the weekend may have been the Thunder outscoring the Suns 34-2 in points off turnovers. While this might appear to be a result of a routine blowout, it serves as a benchmark for the Thunder’s level of play.
They are built around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his dominance in half-court situations. However, their philosophy is encapsulated in those points off turnovers. The Thunder are designed and programmed to excel in the possession game. This is why they aggressively pursue passing lanes, meticulously manage the ball, and recruit athletes with long wingspans.
Secure the ball. Whether through a rebound, a steal, a loose ball, or a deflection, it is all significant.
Observing the Thunder cycle through 11 players in the first half, all executing nearly flawless defensive rotations, generating eight steals and several additional deflections, and scoring 21 points off turnovers in just 24 minutes was a sobering experience — for the Suns and for anyone who dared to witness the competition.
The Pistons’ vulnerabilities were exposed
Throughout the regular season, the Pistons received measured praise.
They are exceptionally tough, both physically and mentally, but they struggle to generate offense. Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren should be prominent on the NBA Awards ballot following their outstanding two-way performances throughout the season, but it is challenging to achieve success with subpar 3-point shooting.
Detroit was the only one of eight home teams in their Game 1s over the weekend to suffer a loss, as the Magic carried over their impressive play-in victory momentum into Sunday’s win. Cunningham showcased his potential as a first-team All-NBA player, scoring 39 points and valiantly attempting to lead his team to victory.
Cunningham took 27 shots, and only one of his teammates reached double-digit attempts — Tobias Harris, who had a disappointing 5-of-15 shooting performance. Duren, who had been an offensive force towards the end of the season, managed just four shots and was outperformed by Magic center Wendell Carter.
The Pistons converted only 4-of-16 attempts off Cunningham’s passes, and their bench collectively shot 4-of-16 as well. The Pistons finished just 10-of-32 on 3-pointers, which was even one below their season average of 11 per game, ranking 28th in the league.
A 60-win team, the Pistons are capable of making adjustments for Game 2, but on a day when the Thunder, Spurs, and Celtics all performed to their seeding, the traits that have made them appear vulnerable for months were glaring.
Victor Wembanyama is unphased by this moment — or any other
The 22-year-old burst onto the scene with 12 points in the first quarter of his inaugural playoff game and scored 21 of his 35 points in the first half of the Spurs’ Game 1 victory over the Blazers. His overall performance was more subdued than his extraordinary standard; he recorded just five rebounds, one assist, and two blocks.
How does this measure up against some of the recent greats’ first playoff games? In summary: quite favorably.
James’ first playoff game was also remarkable, featuring a triple-double with 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists in an 11-point victory. However, such output, along with leading his team to a win, is not the norm.
Kevin Durant scored 24 points in his debut but shot only 7-of-24 in a loss. Stephen Curry recorded 19 points with 9 assists, also in a loss. Luka Doncic was outstanding in his first playoff game in Dallas, scoring 42 points with 7 rebounds and nine assists, but the Mavs lost as well. Kobe Bryant played only 46 seconds in his first playoff game as a seldom-used rookie. In Bryant’s first playoff start, in his third season like Wembanyama, he scored 17 points and made the game-winning free throws.
Shaquille O’Neal, to whom some have drawn comparisons for Wembanyama’s early dominance at the center position, scored 24 points and grabbed 19 rebounds in his first playoff game. That, too, resulted in a loss.
