Avdija's New Strategy: Smart Misses Open Up Offense

Israeli All-Star Dani Avdija is employing a "less is more" strategy with his three-point shooting, as evidenced in the Portland Trail Blazers' recent 108-118 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite missing nine threes in the game, Avdija's approach is seen as a way to navigate potential playoff traps.

The Trail Blazers faced a challenging week, playing the Lakers, Spurs, and the Thunder twice, finishing with a 2-2 record. This stretch, particularly the back-to-back games against Oklahoma City, provided a playoff-like atmosphere against top Western Conference teams. The Thunder, having won six playoff series in the last two seasons, presented a unique challenge that pushed Avdija out of his comfort zone.

Avdija took a career-high 13 three-point attempts against the Thunder, often guarded by center Isaiah Hartenstein. While his three-point efficiency remains below league average at 33.9% for the season, his willingness to shoot forces opposing defenses to react. This strategy, even when the shots don't fall, creates opportunities for his team. Avdija acknowledged this, stating he is confident in his shot and likes to shoot when given space, though he prefers not to force shots without passing.

Oklahoma City's strategy was to prevent Avdija from driving to the basket, forcing him into jump shots. The Thunder's coach noted that Avdija is a player who drives to the basket, and they used Hartenstein to counter him, similar to how they defend players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Zion Williamson. While Avdija wasn't efficient from three, his attempts drew defenders, opening up the paint for himself and teammates, leading to efficient scoring near the basket.

This "compromise" on taking earlier, longer shots, even if not ideal tactically, has strategic benefits. It shortens the distance Avdija has to cover when transitioning back to defense, improving his energy management. This was evident in the final minutes against the Thunder, where Avdija contributed crucial defensive plays, including a steal and a drawn foul that gave Portland the lead. His improved defensive energy and playmaking in crunch time, even after a heavy workload, suggest a maturation in his game, allowing him to impact games defensively in critical moments.