Oklahoma City Thunder's defense proved unstoppable in their playoff series, particularly highlighted by Alex Caruso's crucial late-game steal against the Memphis Grizzlies. With Ja Morant sidelined, Memphis struggled to find offensive rhythm, committing 13 turnovers in the second half. The Thunder's defense, lauded as their superpower, led to a historic comeback against the Grizzlies, marking the second-largest in playoff history.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's stellar performance, including a league-leading 150 steals, solidifies his defensive prowess. The Thunder’s roster, bolstered by defensive stalwarts like Luguentz Dort and Caruso, demonstrates an exceptional blend of talent and teamwork. As they face the Denver Nuggets, the Thunder's defensive strategies will undoubtedly be pivotal in their quest for success.

As the NBA playoffs heat up, players like Kristaps Porzingis and Luguentz Dort are set to shine. Porzingis has shown a strong performance, making over 2.5 threes against the New York Knicks, which could yield excellent returns at +164 odds. With the Knicks’ traditional defense, he’s likely to find open shots. On the other hand, Dort's defensive prowess shines as he averages 2.8 steals against the Denver Nuggets, making his +178 odds for over 1.5 steals worth considering for bettors.

Meanwhile, Aaron Gordon brings an interesting dynamic against the Oklahoma City Thunder, with a reasonable chance to exceed 5.5 rebounds, given the Thunder's average rebounding rate. Lastly, Derrick White’s assist prop seems solid, as he consistently exceeds 4.5 assists. His connection with the Celtics' offense might lead to further opportunities, especially against a slowing Knicks team.

Lu Dort's impressive defensive skills have earned him a commendable fourth-place finish in the Defensive Player of the Year voting, though he fell short of being a finalist. Despite strong efforts from the Oklahoma City Thunder to elevate his candidacy, Dort finished behind Evan Mobley, Dyson Daniels, and Draymond Green, who took the top three spots. With 109 voting points, Dort's performance over the years solidifies his status as one of the league's elite perimeter defenders. As he looks forward, Dort is optimistic about making the All-Defensive Team, marking a significant recognition of his contributions on defense.

Recognizing Evan Mobley as a worthy champion, Dort expressed gratitude for progressing from obscurity to fourth place after years of being overlooked. Following the Thunder's historic postseason performance, Dort's acknowledgment of the tight race for the award speaks volumes about the competitive nature of the league this season. He remains hopeful for future accolades, potentially culminating in a Defensive Player of the Year award in the seasons to come.

Ja Morant, the star guard for the Memphis Grizzlies, has been ruled out for Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a hip contusion sustained in Game 3. Interim coach Tuomas Iisalo confirmed the news, noting that Morant avoided serious injury. The Grizzlies face a challenging situation as they attempt to avoid being swept in the first round of the playoffs without one of their key offensive players.

Morant's injury occurred during a fast break, where he collided with Luguentz Dort, resulting in a significant fall. Despite starting to limp off the court, Morant returned briefly to attempt free throws but ultimately could not continue. The Grizzlies, who held a substantial lead at halftime, experienced a dramatic collapse in the second half, making this absence even more crucial in their playoff bid.

Ja Morant's absence in Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder is a significant blow for the Memphis Grizzlies, who are facing elimination. Morant limped off the court in Game 3 after sustaining a left hip injury during a play involving Luguentz Dort. Despite his efforts to continue, including taking two free throws, he was quickly sidelined. Coach Tuomas Iisalo has not confirmed Morant's status for the critical matchup, citing ongoing evaluations.

This postseason has been a challenging one for Morant, who also dealt with a right ankle sprain earlier in the playoffs. The former Rookie of the Year has had a history of injuries this season, missing 32 games in total. His absence raises questions about the Grizzlies' ability to overcome the 0-3 deficit, as no team has successfully done so in NBA playoff history.