Thunder vs. Pacers NBA Finals Game Thread

[Im Still Ballin]

Pacers don't turn it over, they shoot well from 3, they are deep, and have one of the best coaches in the league.

Wolves played into OKCs strengths by being a dumb, high turnover team.

The Pacers are a smart team and were red hot for the last part of the season as well, they've been an elite team for several months now.

Based on what we've seen from both teams - this series should be a toss up.

I'll take OKC in 7.

Agreed. Thunder in 7. An exciting matchup of offense and defense.

We're looking good right now. Only 34 turnovers in 2.5 games since the first half of G1. That's a rate of 13.6/g. More importantly, they've won the net turnover battle by +4. OKC feeds off defensive TOs, and they're not getting nearly as many as they'd like.

[tpols]

Pretty crazy that OKC has led for like 85% of the minutes played but are down 1-2. There still in a decent position to win though. Clearly a better team, but they choked twice. Chet got bodied by Myles Turner. If they win Game 4 though they're a huge favorite again.

[SouBeachTalents]

OKC is giving me 2015 Warrior vibes, incredible regular season, MVP, first time in the Finals, and they're underperforming against a less talented team and find themselves down 2-1 in the Finals. Similarly to the Warriors, the stage seems a little too big for them right now, but I feel like the talent disparity isn't nearly as lopsided this time, so they'll have a tougher uphill battle.

Very good chance the winner of Game 4 claims the title.

[Meticode]

Pretty crazy that OKC has led for like 85% of the minutes played but are down 1-2. There still in a decent position to win though. Clearly a better team, but they choked twice. Chet got bodied by Myles Turner. If they win Game 4 though they're a huge favorite again.

It's because the Pacers wear them down and play harder for longer. Something they've done the whole playoffs.

[1987_Lakers]

OKC is giving me 2015 Warrior vibes, incredible regular season, MVP, first time in the Finals, and they're underperforming against a less talented team and find themselves down 2-1 in the Finals. Similarly to the Warriors, the stage seems a little too big for them right now, but I feel like the talent disparity isn't nearly as lopsided this time, so they'll have a tougher uphill battle.

Very good chance the winner of Game 4 claims the title.

This comparison is spot on.

Both were perfectly built as a team which led to a historic regular season
Both young and inexperienced
Both have the league MVP
Both have elite defenses
Both don't have that consistent #2 scorer

[Wally450]

Mathurin with the massive game off the bench.

49-18 bench scoring for the Pacers in G3.

[L.Kizzle]

OKC is giving me 2015 Warrior vibes, incredible regular season, MVP, first time in the Finals, and they're underperforming against a less talented team and find themselves down 2-1 in the Finals. Similarly to the Warriors, the stage seems a little too big for them right now, but I feel like the talent disparity isn't nearly as lopsided this time, so they'll have a tougher uphill battle.

Very good chance the winner of Game 4 claims the title.

Only difference is LeBron James is on the other end not Haliburton.

[SouBeachTalents]

Only difference is LeBron James is on the other end not Haliburton.

Even with the Cavs having LeBron, Indy is a tougher opponent. The Cavs outside of LeBron that series were genuinely lottery level, the Pacers for sure have more talent and imo will be a tougher out the rest of the series. Once the Warriors inserted Iggy into the starting lineup and made adjustments, the series wasn't close the rest of the way.

[Manny98]

Haliburton hasn't even been to the free throw line this series

He plays basketball the way it's supposed to be played which is why he's becoming one of my favourite players

No flopping, no antics, just straight team orientated basketball

SGA could never

[tpols]

Haliburton hasn't even been to the free throw line this series

He plays basketball the way it's supposed to be played which is why he's becoming one of my favourite players

No flopping, no antics, just straight team orientated basketball

SGA could never

Silver may be the devil and prefer one outcome over another for $ purposes, but Haliburton has surely earned favor of the Basketball Gods for his clean, honest style of play.

[Manny98]

Silver may be the devil and prefer one outcome over another for $ purposes, but Haliburton has surely earned favor of the Basketball Gods for his clean, honest style of play.

They're the most fun I have had watching a team since the 2014 Spurs

So refreshing to see

[JohnnySic]

The Pacers have figured the Thunder out. Although the Thunder have led most of the way, the games are becoming more "even" with each game.

[L.Kizzle]

The Pacers have figured the Thunder out. Although the Thunder have led most of the way, the games are becoming more "even" with each game.

I would say figured them out. They probably led for a total of 20+ minutes in 3 games played.

[highwhey]

The Pacers have figured the Thunder out. Although the Thunder have led most of the way, the games are becoming more "even" with each game.

*Rick Carlisle

[highwhey]

How so?

In what way though?

it's a copy cat league, if the pacers manage to beat OKC, other teams will use them as a blueprint to emulate. team oriented ball with 110% effort over having an mvp guard that hunts for fouls. it's fundamentals vs exploiting offensive rules. that's been the trend for a few years now since the league kept relaxing the offensive rules. what was once a travel isn't a travel anymore and creating contact by launching your body into a defender is an immediate trip to the free throw line (shai).