The modern NBA is an offensive juggernaut, with teams setting league-wide records for scoring in recent seasons. However, the 2023-24 NBA Playoffs have introduced a new style of play, one that emphasizes defense and methodical half-court offense.
This shift is evident in the statistics. Compared to the regular season, teams are averaging nearly 13 points less per game in the playoffs, with field goal percentages and three-point percentages also declining. The top three highest team offensive ratings in the regular season all came from the 2023-24 campaign, but those teams have struggled to maintain their offensive dominance in the playoffs.
The Indiana Pacers, who led the league in scoring during the regular season, were held to their lowest point total of the season in their Game 1 loss to the Miami Heat. The emphasis on defense has been a major factor in the Pacers’ struggles, as they have been forced to slow down their pace and play more deliberately.
Other teams have also adopted a more defense-oriented approach in the playoffs. The Dallas Mavericks, led by MVP candidate Luka Dončić, have been one of the most surprising teams in the postseason, and their success has been built on their ability to defend at a high level. Dončić, who has been criticized for his defense in the past, has shown a new commitment to playing on that end of the court.
In Game 2 of their series against the Los Angeles Clippers, Dončić was the primary defender on Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, and Leonard shot just 2-17 from the field. Dončić’s defensive effort was a key factor in the Mavericks’ victory, and it is a sign that the league is moving towards a more balanced style of play.
The NBA has taken notice of the shift towards defense, and they have made a point of emphasis on allowing more physicality and refraining from calling as many fouls. This has been evident in the postseason, where there have been fewer foul calls per game compared to the regular season.
The league is making it a point of emphasis to allow players to play through more contact, and it has been evident in the postseason, whether good or bad. In the 14 games played in the postseason thus far, there have only been five instances in which a team has scored greater than 110 points in a game. The game has slowed down and the intensity to compete has returned.
The shift towards defense is a welcome change for the NBA. It is making the playoffs more competitive and exciting, and it is a sign that the league is moving in the right direction.
