Spurs vs Thunder: The Player to Back in Game 5

After 63 points in the first three games, the Spurs switched defensive schemes and stopped giving Alex Caruso practice jumpers. As a result, Caruso only played 14 minutes and didn’t register a point on only 1 FGA. The decrease in scoring volume isn’t something I’m too eager to buy low on but the RA is, especially because the only chance of anything around 14 minutes again is more foul trouble or an immediate blowout.

Now the foul trouble didn’t help him stay on the court in Game 4, and one could argue with the way they use him that you can't rule out that happening again, which is fair. But with his defensive versatility (and the Jalen Williams/Ajay Mitchell injuries) that Mark Daigneault will still find a way to play him big minutes regardless. He needs to have a role tonight even if that doesn't include shooting the ball a bunch.

I think he can be an interesting release of pressure on offense for OKC in this one though. Caruso has actually averaged 4 potential assists per game this series which outside of the obvious one in SGA is only behind Cason Wallace (4.8). Those actual assists and potentials both came from pretty much two situations. Either an extra pass to the corner for a 3PT shooter or him near the free throw line hitting a cutter. Now the Spurs are waiting to double SGA until he drives, so I have a feeling you might see a bit of facilitating from guys like Caruso, Chet, and Hartenstein near the top of the key tonight especially if they draw up something to get SGA downhill as a part of those. And If they start to find success doing that, Caruso could get close to his RA with assists alone.

But OKC also got bullied on the boards for a lot of Game 4, and the final tally of 52-47 in favor of the Spurs doesn’t really tell the story. The gap was a bit wider before the benches were emptied, and a lot of it came from some weird bounces and hustle plays from the Spurs. De’Aaron Fox ended with 10 boards without really making a concerted effort on a majority of them. Caruso hasn’t put up massive rebound numbers this series, partially because he’s been on either Wemby or a 3PT shooter a lot. They need some hustle and grit on the boards tonight, so they should let him switch and roam a bit while one of the bigs puts a body on Wemby. He might not be dropping 30 again, but we need him in the trenches tonight.