Is Indiana’s offense capable of making this a series?
It has been a relatively fantastic NBA postseason, but I am afraid this NBA Finals might be a bit of a dud. Sure, the Indiana Pacers can score, and sure, they can blitz you on their way to overcoming a 20-point deficit. But two things. 1. That shows you that the Pacers are completely capable of falling behind by 20 points. 2. The Oklahoma City Thunder seemed designed in a lab to never give up huge runs to their opponents. The Pacers just don’t seem to have the kind of defense that can keep pace with a team as potent as the Thunder.
However, speaking of things designed in a lab. Tyrese Haliburton was built to rip your hearts out. It is just what he does. He just needs to do it four times in this series. Furthermore, one of Haliburton’s great skills is ball control, and the Thunder are used to forcing their opponents into turnovers and easy baskets. Perhaps Indy can get OKC into their own heads and on their back foot.
Game Vitals
When: 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Watch: ABC
Odds: Thunder -10
Projected Lineups
Indiana Pacers (0-0)
Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner
Oklahoma City Thunder (0-0)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein