Chet Holmgren and Lu Dort anchor elite Thunder defense heading into second round of NBA playoffs

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The young Oklahoma City Thunder finally are drawing national attention with a high-scoring offense led by MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

A closer look shows the defense is just as responsible for the Thunder claiming the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs and sweeping the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round. Though best known for an up-tempo style that helped them rank third in the league in scoring during the regular season, Chet Holmgren, Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort led an Oklahoma City team that finished fourth in the league in defensive rating and third in opponent field goal percentage.

The Thunder defense was even better in the first round, holding the Pelicans to 92 points or fewer in all four games. The Thunder will need more of the same if they are to beat the Dallas Mavericks or the Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference semifinals starting next Tuesday in Oklahoma City.