Montreal’s Lu Dort is defensive backbone of top-ranked Oklahoma City Thunder

RJ Barrett was in the midst of a remarkable scoring streak, shooting over 60 per cent from the field and leading the Toronto Raptors to multiple victories. However, his momentum came to a halt when he encountered his old acquaintance, Lu Dort.

Dort and the Oklahoma City Thunder managed to stifle Barrett and the Raptors’ offense in a lopsided 129-92 defeat. Despite the loss, Barrett ranks second in the NBA for transition points per game, trailing only Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.

“We knew we had to get back on defense as soon as the ball went up,” explained Dort regarding their strategy to contain Barrett and limit Toronto’s fast breaks. “We were able to execute offensively and prevent them from getting easy transition opportunities.”

Barrett, hailing from Mississauga, Ontario, had been averaging an impressive 28.3 points on exceptional shooting percentages in the previous four games. However, facing Dort, a fellow Canadian from Montreal, Barrett was held to 17 points on subpar shooting efficiency.

The longstanding familiarity between the two players played a role in Dort’s defensive success. “I’ve been competing against RJ since we were teenagers, so it definitely helped in understanding his game,” Dort remarked. The duo had also shared the court representing Canada at the Paris Olympics last summer.

While Dort’s offensive statistics may not stand out, his defensive prowess is undeniable. Averaging career-best numbers in steals, blocks, and turnovers, Dort has showcased his versatility in guarding a variety of positions, including elite players like LeBron James and Luka Doncic.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault praised Dort’s defensive flexibility, emphasizing his ability to defend both guards and forwards effectively. Dort’s defensive impact was evident in the game against the Raptors, where he recorded multiple blocks and steals despite limited playing time.

“Our defensive identity is based on hustle and teamwork,” Dort explained. “We rely on each other to make crucial plays on defense and disrupt our opponents’ rhythm.”

This intense defensive effort by Dort and the Thunder squad led to a convincing victory over the Raptors. Despite the outcome, Dort’s defensive tenacity and versatility continue to be valuable assets for Oklahoma City.

This article, originally from The Canadian Press, was adapted for WordPress on December 6, 2024.