INDIANAPOLIS — Returning home after an intense opening series in Oklahoma City, the Indiana Pacers are eager to tackle the next phase of the NBA Finals. This return marks a significant moment for Indianapolis fans, who’ve waited a quarter of a century to see their team reach this pinnacle once more. With the series tied 1-1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Pacers are preparing to capitalize on their home-court advantage starting Wednesday night in Game 3.
Seizing the home advantage in Game 1 was a pivotal victory for the Pacers, but they’re acutely aware of the task ahead. A lapse in performance at home could easily shift the momentum back to the Thunder. “We’re going to have to be a lot better on Wednesday,” said Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, emphasizing the importance of elevating their game.
While Carlisle’s insistence for improvement may sound typical for a coach, the statistics from the series so far reveal room for progress. Not a single Pacers player has managed to score 20 points in either of the first two games. Collectively, the Pacers have held a lead for only 1 minute and 54 seconds throughout the series, representing less than 2% of the total game time.
In Game 2, the Pacers faced a particular struggle, failing to score any points in the paint during the first quarter, an area of their offense that is usually quite robust. It’s been over nine years since the Pacers went through a first quarter without a paint point, underscoring the effectiveness of the Thunder’s defense. “We have to do a better job of getting to the paint,” acknowledged Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton. Highlighting the importance of an inside-out strategy, he remarked that the Thunder’s defense effectively stifled their offensive rhythm.
Despite an impressive season, with 81 wins out of 100 games, the Thunder’s formidable defense continues to be underestimated. Their gameplan thwarted the Pacers’ ability to secure easy shots near the basket, instead compelling them to settle for more challenging, perimeter attempts. Oklahoma City’s defensive prowess was evident, especially as they managed to keep the Pacers’ key players, like Haliburton, in check.
Luguentz Dort, who primarily guarded Haliburton, confirmed the Thunder’s strategy: make life difficult for him and prevent any easy drives. “My main thing is to stay in front of him and make everything tough,” Dort remarked, acknowledging Haliburton’s ability to make challenging plays under pressure.
This stylistic confrontation has been pronounced, with the Pacers excelling in games where they dominate the paint. The contrast is clear: in their playoff wins, they have averaged 46 paint points compared to 36 in losses. Pacers forward Myles Turner emphasized the need to re-establish their dominant play by attacking the paint early and often.
As the series moves to Indianapolis, home fans offer new enthusiasm and potential advantages. The Pacers aim to utilize this energy to their benefit, backed by two days of preparation to counter the Thunder’s defensive strategies. Watchful analysis of the previous games will inform their approach.
“We’ll watch the film, see where we can get better,” Haliburton noted, reaffirming their commitment to scoring inside. “The paint is our emphasis and the paint is our friend. The more that we’re able to attack the paint, usually better things happen for us.”