Keeping Alex Caruso in the Bacta tank for the regular season, the Oklahoma City Thunder's cautious approach with the 31-year-old has paid off in the NBA playoffs. He's flipped a switch, to say the least.

The Thunder's do-it-all energizer and defensive menace has been a bigger part of the offense, and his playing time has increased accordingly in the most important games of the season.

For the second straight season, Oklahoma City topped the Western Conference in the record category, but this year they’ve been determined to not let their run be cut short again. One of the biggest reasons that this Thunder team was able to advance past last year’s shortcomings is the additional offseason reinforcements — like Alex Caruso.