PG: James Harden 17' - 18.9
SG: Mikal Bridges 21' - 9.3
SF: Jimmy Butler 25' - 10.9
PF: Jalen Williams 25' - 16.9
C: Shaquille O'Neal 01' - 19.2
Bench: Patrick Beverley 19' - 6.1
Bench: Nicolas Batum 25' - 3.1
Bench: Dikembe Mutombo 05' - 3.0
87.4/88
PG: James Harden 39 | Patrick Beverley 9 | Jimmy Butler
SG: Mikal Bridges 34 | Patrick Beverley 14 | Jimmy Butler
SF: Jimmy Butler 38 | Jalen Williams 8 | Mikal Bridges 2 | Nicolas Batum
PF: Jalen Williams 32 | Nicolas Batum 16 | Jimmy Butler
C: Shaquille O'Neal 38 | Dikembe Mutombo 10
Vs
Nash (36) Reaves (12)
Wiggins (36) Reaves (12)
Marion (36) Turkoglu (12)
Holmgren (36) Turkoglu (12)
Gasol (36) Reed (12)
Matchup Breakdown
Defensive Assignments:Harden → Wiggins
Mikal → Nash
Butler → Holmgren
Jalen Williams → Marion
Shaq → Pau Gasol
We like our matchups across the board. Bridges guarding Nash gives us a strong on-ball defender against their primary creator. Butler’s physicality against Holmgren disrupts a finesse player who struggles with contact. Jalen matches up well with Marion’s athleticism and off-ball activity. Shaq is a major advantage against Pau, who lacks the strength to hold his position or defend him without fouling. Harden is fine guarding Wiggins, who won’t punish him off the dribble.
Offensive AdvantageWe have the two best scorers in this series: Shaq and Harden. Harden was an elite offensive engine in 2017, drawing attention and creating for others. Shaq in 2001 is simply unstoppable one-on-one, and there’s no clear defender on their side who can slow him down. Butler, Mikal, and Jalen round out the lineup with efficient off-ball scoring and secondary playmaking.
Their Defensive IssuesTheir defense has real holes. Nash will be attacked in pick-and-rolls or isolated by Harden or Butler. Gasol will struggle to guard Shaq without getting into foul trouble. Their bench doesn’t have strong defenders either—Turkoglu, for example, is very vulnerable against our wings.
Bench and VersatilityWe stay big and physical all game long. Mutombo gives us strong rim protection when Shaq sits. Batum adds size and smart defense, while Beverley provides tough minutes against guards like Reaves or Nash. Our second unit holds up defensively and fits smoothly with the starters.
ConclusionWe’re the more balanced team with elite scoring, better defenders, and a physical edge they can’t match. Their lack of answers for Shaq, weak perimeter defenders, and reliance on finesse make this a tough series for them.
