Chris Finch just served up a blueprint for shutting down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and yeah, it’s as effective as it sounds — a 42-point beatdown doesn’t lie. The Wolves weren’t just playing defense; they were dialed in, locking SGA down without getting sloppy. The real flex here — aggressive but no fouls.
Finch said it straight: “We just were more aggressive everywhere. I thought we were a little cleaner around him—we didn’t foul. Our competitiveness was at an all-time high. He’s a phenomenal player, man, and he’s not going to have too many nights like this, so we feel fortunate for that, and we’ll move on to Monday.” This wasn’t just talk. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got held to 14 points on 4-of-13 shooting with just four free throws — a far cry from the 31-point monster who lit up Game 1. The Wolves smothered his usual foul-drawing antics, forcing him into tough looks and breaking his flow.
They played smart, tough, and kept their cool. But here’s the catch — this ain’t some plug-and-play defense for every team. You need the right mix of length, discipline, and energy. That’s why only one coach in the East is really gonna cash in on this recipe. The rest?
ongoing story…
The post Chris Finch’s Solution to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Problems Will Only Help 1 NBA Coach After 42-Point Win vs OKC appeared first on EssentiallySports.