The Matchup
As Casey said in his post-game interview, he didn’t want Wood matching up with Domantas Sabonis on defense. Sabonis can post up the best of them and Wood is no match for him in the post. In contrast, Morris is an excellent post defender and can switch pick & rolls without giving up much.
Morris had a great defensive possession against Sabonis very late in the game where he stripped the ball when he tried to post him up. The Pistons got a much-needed stop.
“Wood would be guarding Myles Turner“, one should think, as I did last night before re-watching the game. That’s not always the case. Whenever you miss on offense, matchups get funky. Defenders have to pick up whoever is closest to them if they don’t want to give up an easy bucket in semi-transition.
Wood was guarding Turner but in the play below, he has to pick up Sabonis and the Pacers’ big man gets a push shot, which he normally makes. He misses this one but that’s not a look you want to give up late in a close game.
Wood didn’t do much to body up Sabonis on this post up either. Again, he misses but you get the point. These hooks are how he earns his paycheck. Coaches notice this stuff during the game.
Morris switches on Sabonis on the Turner screen and he can hold his own down there as Isiah Thomas promotes his champagne. He doesn’t give up any ground, doesn’t bite on the pump fake and leads him towards Drummond, forcing him to make the pass. Drummond contests and the Pistons get the ball.
Wood gets hung up on this screen and the pocket pass is wide open. Sabonis gets the easiest look he had all night. Morris would have switched and killed that action. That defensive versatility against this particular matchup makes a difference, especially in such a close game.