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Victories in the playoffs away from home have a unique flavor.
Pascal Siakam and the Pacers have now secured six consecutive wins on the road.
**TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS 🏀**
May 24, 2025
**Pacers Lead 2-0:** Siakam excels as Indiana takes the opening two games at Madison Square Garden.
**Road Warriors:** The Pacers enhance their playoff road winning streak to six straight games.
**Home Advantage:** Will the Timberwolves manage to recover after losing the first two games to OKC?
**Defensive Prowess:** Can Oklahoma City’s strong defensive play continue on the road in Game 3?
**All-NBA Selections:** A notable statistic for each of the 15 players who made waves this season.
**BUT FIRST… ⏰**
Western Conference Finals return to Minneapolis…
The Western Conference Finals continue tonight (8:30 ET, ABC) with the Timberwolves facing off against the Thunder in a crucial Game 3. Oklahoma City aims to seize a commanding 3-0 lead, while Minnesota hopes to capitalize on their home support to narrow the series gap.
1. **SIAKAM LEADS PACERS TO 2-0 ADVANTAGE IN EAST FINALS**
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In the series opener, a flurry of 3-pointers from Aaron Nesmith and clutch performances from Tyrese Haliburton propelled Indiana to a 1-0 lead on the road.
During Game 2, Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner were pivotal as Indiana pulled ahead late to clinch a 2-0 series advantage in the Eastern Finals.
Pacers 114, Knicks 109: After a thrilling first three quarters, marked by 17 lead changes and 15 ties, the score stood at 81-81 heading into the fourth quarter. Indiana commenced the final period with a 13-4 run and never looked back, with Siakam (7) and Turner (13) contributing 20 points in the fourth to secure the victory. | Recap
With Friday marking the 50th playoff clash of this rivalry, it was fitting that the game remained competitive until the very end for the second consecutive matchup.
The Pacers boasted six players scoring in double digits and five players dishing out two or more assists, achieving their seventh straight game with at least 100 points and 25 assists.
**Upcoming:** With the series at 2-0, the Pacers head back to Indiana for two games, with Game 3 scheduled for Sunday (8 ET, TNT).
2. **SETTING THE STANDARD WITH AWAY WINS**
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For the second consecutive series, the Pacers carry a 2-0 advantage as they return to Indianapolis.
The Pacers have captured six straight wins on the road this postseason, sporting a 6-1 record away from Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
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Throughout their six-game away winning streak, the Pacers have averaged 122.7 points and 28.7 assists, maintaining a shooting percentage of at least 50% in all games and hitting 40% from beyond the arc in all but one.
While Indiana has showcased its ability to win outside its home venue, they have also thrived in Indianapolis, looking to improve their 4-1 record in Games 3 & 4.
3. **CAN THE WOLVES RECOVER ON THEIR HOME COURT?**
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Facing a 2-0 deficit, Minnesota risks falling into a hole that no team has ever escaped. A loss would leave them trailing 3-0 in the series — a situation 159 teams have encountered, with none succeeding in overturning the odds.
This reality simplifies their strategy.
The Timberwolves welcome the Thunder to Target Center tonight for Game 3 of the Western Finals (8:30 ET, ABC). Now that the series is moving to their familiar ground, it has historically proven to be beneficial for them.
Throughout the regular season, coach Chris Finch’s squad consistently rose to the occasion at home, a trend that has continued in their postseason pursuit.
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“Every moment in a series provides an opportunity for discovery,” Finch remarked. “We are going to return home and battle for Game 3.”
Oklahoma City, boasting the best playoff defensive rating at 101.2, has stifled the Timberwolves, pushing them to depend on outside shooting. Minnesota has shown it can rise to this challenge before.
“They executed their game plan and protected their home court,” said Mike Conley. “Now it’s our turn to do the same.”
4. **CAN THE THUNDER MAINTAIN THEIR DEFENSIVE EXCELLENCE AWAY FROM HOME?**
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In the initial two games of the Western Finals, the Thunder have restricted the Timberwolves to a total of just 191 points – 88 in Game 1 and 103 in Game 2 – equaling the lowest two-game scoring stretch for Minnesota all season.
OKC has established itself as a defensive powerhouse throughout the year, achieving a 106.6 defensive rating in the regular season – the best over the past three years.
Twenty-four players from 15 teams were acknowledged in the voting for the Kia NBA All-Defensive Teams, revealed on Thursday.
With a roster filled with outstanding defenders, Daigneault can utilize various lineups to offer opponents diverse challenges throughout a game (and series), continuously sending fresh defenders to uphold their defensive ferocity.
Another critical element of OKC’s extensive defense is its effectiveness on offense. The Thunder ranks second in field goals made (42.7) and first in the fewest turnovers (11.0) in the playoffs. This allows them to establish their defense rather than scrambling back on transition plays.
5. **CELEBRATING THE ELITE: ALL-NBA TEAMS REVEALED**
The Kia All-NBA Teams were unveiled on Friday, honoring the top 15 players in the NBA for the 2024-25 season.
The narrative of the season cannot be complete without recognizing these players. To honor their achievements, we examine one standout statistic for each player that distinguished them within the league.
