Here’s what we can look forward to in Games 3 and 4 of the series, Wednesday and Friday nights in Indianapolis.
Home court is an advantage. Both teams have lost only twice on their home court this postseason, demonstrating that their home floor truly makes a difference. The Pacers dropped Game 3 against the Cavaliers in the second round of the playoffs and then lost Game 3 again to the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. Meanwhile, the Thunder lost Game 1 to the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals and then Game 1 to the Pacers in the NBA Finals. Both teams managed to regroup and bounce back after those defeats, demonstrating their ability to adapt during their series.
Both teams have deep benches. Both teams have a larger number of players in their rotations, which isn’t typical for playoffs, where teams usually stick to a rotation of 7-9 players for specific matchups.
The Pacers are averaging 35.6 points from their bench this postseason, thanks to five bench players who rotate in, keeping things fresh. On the other hand, the Thunder’s bench is putting up an average of 32.1 points per game. In Game 2, they shone with 48 points, led by Alex Caruso with 20 points and Aaron Wiggins with 18 points.
Which team will make key adjustments? The Pacers know how to make adjustments, a crucial element in the NBA Finals, and for that, let’s give props to seasoned head coach Rick Carlisle. He’s no stranger to high-profile series, having won a championship with the Mavericks in 2011. The Pacers adjusted well in Game 1 of this series, but OKC countered every possible momentum shift in Game 2. Game 3 could be a game-changer, and I predict the Pacers will have the upper hand. As for the Thunder, they’ve shown they can adjust, and the team that wins the adjustment game may not be the one with the better talent, but the team that wins the sideline battle of wits.
