Like other sports games, offense and defense in NBA 2K23 are two important parts of winning a game, and both are indispensable. The best offense can earn you more points in the game, and the best defense can stop your opponent from scoring points. In this article, we’ve compiled the best tips for defending in NBA 2K23 to help you experience each game better and win more rewards and 2K MT Coins.
First, we understand the defensive operation control keys in NBA 2K23. Skilled key operation is the primary condition for improving the defensive level!
- On-ball defense controls
- Action – Key bind
- Move Player – Left Stick
- Hands Up – Right Stick
- On The Fly Coaching – Directional Pad
- Double Team – Left Bumper
- Intense-D – Left Trigger
- Intentional Foul – View Button
- Sprint – Right Trigger
- Pause – Menu Button
- Icon Pass – Right Bumper
- Steal – X
- Block / Rebound – Y
- Take Charge – B
- Player Swap (Closest to Ball) – A
- Off-ball defense controls
- Action – Key Bind
- Move Player – Left Stick
- On-Ball Steal – Right Stick
- On The Fly Coaching – Directional Pad
- Double Team – Left Bumper
- Intense-D – Left Trigger
- Intentional Foul – View Button
- Pause – Menu Button
- Sprint – Right Trigger
- Icon Swap – Right Bumper
- Steal – X
- Block / Rebound – Y
- Take Charge – B
- Player Swap (Closest to Ball) – A
NBA 2K23 Defensive: Tips and Tricks
A good defense is just as crucial as a potent offense. The ball isn’t always in your hands, so when you don’t have it, you need to step up your defense to help you do that. We’ve already mentioned some defensive tips for NBA 2K23.
Be the shadow of the opponent.
When the defense starts, each player will have an opponent assigned to them, and they have to screen that player for the rest of the possession, so make sure you get close to them, don’t give them the chance to pass the ball, and keep shrinking the circle next to them. Please pay close attention to their movements and try to form a pattern from their campaigns that will make it easier for you to sync your jumps without giving them any chance of scoring. Once you’ve been standing on their backs and watching their every move, they’ll feel the pressure, in which case they’re bound to make mistakes, and you’ll have the opportunity to cash in on their mistakes.
Forced Error
Forcing turnovers in NBA 2K23 is a critical part of winning. A turnover will cause the team to miss out on scoring opportunities. There are several ways that players can make mistakes. To do this, you can time your ball buttons when the ball leaves your opponent’s hand. Ensure you don’t spam the button, as this can lead to tentacle fouling.
Keep one arm away
Because you will be covering a single opponent throughout the defense, you must maintain the optimal distance from other players. They will slip past if you get too far away from the opponent. If you are too close to the player, you have the opportunity to draw a foul. The optimal distance is at arm’s length.
Substitute for tired players
Players get tired after halftime, and replacing them helps maintain the strength and power of your team, which ultimately improves your defense. So keep an eye out for players and replace them in time.
Defense Control
If you don’t know how, what’s the use of all defensive tricks? So we’ll ensure you’re familiar with all the defensive controls in NBA 2K23. Defense control can be divided into two ways. The defensive control with the ball and the defensive control without the ball are mentioned below.
Use turnover
One of the best ways to improve your team’s defense in NBA 2k23 is to use turnovers, as this is an important part of your team’s defense. You need to catch the ball halfway through to complete the turnover. Being able to force the opponent to roll over is good for the team, causing the opponent to miss out on scoring opportunities.
Shadow opponent
Another way to improve your defense is to track your opponent. In each game, you can assign defenders to some dangerous opponent players and track them throughout the game. Tracking your opponents is like leaving them with little space throughout the game. Even if they gain some space, opposing players can get nervous and make mistakes you can use to your advantage.
Substitute for tired players
Always watch your team throughout the game, and whenever halftime, check to see if any players, especially defenders, are tired and replace them with other players. This will help your team stay strong in the upcoming games.
