Alex Caruso is not giving the Denver Nuggets suits along with his scoring. Not with 11 factors by three quarters. However the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder veteran as an alternative amazed with this aspect: His protection on Nikola Jokic on Sunday in Sport 7.
The 6-foot-5, 186-pound Caruso entered the Paycom Middle at a big measurement benefit in comparison with “Joker.” Jokic seems just like the mismatch right here at 6-foot-11, 284-pounds for this a lot anticipated NBA Playoffs battle. Caruso already endured one heated battle with Nuggets star Aaron Gordon in Sport 6.
Caruso turned a large thorn for the Nuggets’ prime scorer, although. He stayed hooked up to the All-Star Jokic by not giving him area.
The 31-year-old seemed extra like an NFL cornerback locking up the opponent’s prime huge receiver. Caruso’s protection led to Jokic’s taking pictures struggles, as famous by NBA reporter Okay.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports activities Community.
“No person totally stops Jokic however Caruso held him to 2-6 in major matchups and had a steal. Simply an insane show of defensive method and IQ by the previous Bull,” Johnson stated on X.
Caruso is proving that he is invaluable for the spectacular depth on the Thunder. Depth that NBA champion Kendrick Perkins described as deeper than the Pacific Ocean.
Alex Caruso protection on Nikola Jokic additional detailed throughout Thunder romp
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One NBA reporter threw out a counterargument on Caruso’s protection towards the previous league Most Useful Participant. Matt Moore of The Motion Community dropped this rationalization.
“Simply to be clear, the rationale that Caruso on Jokic works is due to how the NBA officiates smalls versus bigs. That is it. It isn’t genius,” Moore revealed on X. “It would not truly cease Jokic. It is simply an officiating quirk league-wide.”
Moore is not knocking the Thunder guard, although. Or head coach Mark Daigneault making the choice to throw Caruso onto Jokic.
“Caruso’s an important defender, and it is a sensible adjustment,” Moore stated. “However that is the ONLY motive this works.”
Jokic nonetheless squeezed out 20 factors in 34 minutes towards the Thunder. He nonetheless led Denver’s scoring cost in OKC. Nevertheless, Caruso helped spark the astonishing 97-72 lead getting into the fourth quarter.