Deep scout
Scouting snapshot
Efficient, balanced, drive-and-kick leaning, and the best offensive efficiency profile in the league when healthy.
Win script
Pass, protect the ball, let Burton own the glass, and let Benson/Plumlee close creation.
Red flag
Turnovers, Burton foul trouble, and late-game free throw exposure on the wrong players.
Best matchup targets
Pull Burton into space, force Plumlee to defend movement and handle pressure, make O'Reilly and Plumlee live at the line late.
How to break Bulldogs
Burton in space is the first lever. Plumlee late at the line is the second. O'Reilly in late-clock or foul scenarios is the third. After dropping 4/30 to FFLT and 5/14 to GN, the team sits at 2-3 with a -0.4 per-game margin — the league's only sub-.500 team that has lost both legs of the recent stretch by margin, not structure.
Matchup dashboard
Every opponent, on one page
Bulldogs favored. Must-win to keep playoff math alive at 2-3.
Our edge
Size at every spot, rim finishing, ball-movement offense. BSJ can't score in half-court if Locke is smothered.
Their edge
Locke's shooting ceiling (56% 3P) and Macdonald's rim protection (3.5 BPG). Note: BSJ has won their last two — Locke has been live.
Our keys to win
- Deny Locke catches — top-lock at the arc
- Pace up to 80+ possessions
- Attack Macdonald off ball screens, not in the post
- Rebound discipline on their misses
- Don't foul — 46% team FT
No FFLT game on the current upcoming slate. Rematch if/when scheduled — lost 4/30.
Our edge
Everyone not named Harding shoots under 40%. Greene/Banker can't guard a ball-handler in space.
Their edge
#1 rebounding team. Harding's historical-level 3P shooting (60.6%, 11 3PA/g). They beat us 4/30 — the rest of their floor never tilted in our favor.
Our keys to win
- Trap Harding on every ball screen — force someone else to beat us
- Run in transition — their paint bigs are slow getting back
- Attack Greene and Banker in space
- Protect the defensive glass — Burton 10+ rebounds
- Don't jack threes — avoid their style
- Don't foul — 73% team FT
No KJ game on the current upcoming slate. Lost Game 1 by 7 (56-63); coin flip when healthy if/when scheduled.
Our edge
Size inside if Garrett misses. Interior scoring vs Holman 1-on-1.
Their edge
League-best defense, no star dependency, half-court execution.
Our keys to win
- Survive Forster — hold him to 14 or fewer
- Front Holman in the paint; force weaker hand
- Exploit Garrett's absence if he sits
- Force pace — their half-court schemes are the danger
- Take care of the ball — target sub-12 TOs (vs 16 in Game 1)
Already beat them 76-65 — lean on what worked.
Our edge
Cracked the code in Apr 9 (76-65 win). Burton can bang with Semler for limited minutes.
Their edge
Semler is the best post player in the league (24 PPG, 13.3 RPG). They returned the favor on 5/14 — handle preparation accordingly if/when scheduled again.
Our keys to win
- Double Semler on every post catch — never let him get deep position
- Run in transition
- Wall off Niedermeyer's drive line; force pull-ups
- Chase Post off the arc — 22 of 23 attempts are threes
Bounce-back spot at 2-3 after losses to FFLT and GN. Beat them 86-75 on Apr 16 — lean on what worked.
Our edge
Size, rim pressure, and defense. Already beat them 86-75 on Apr 16.
Their edge
Adler + Heinle can get hot from three in spurts. They're 0-5 — expect desperation effort.
Our keys to win
- Chase Adler and Heinle off every screen — no airspace
- Burton 1-on-1 vs Blount; live with post-ups
- Don't give Blount multiple paint touches
- Foul them in 1-and-1 spots — 43% team FT
- Stay sub-12 TOs