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INDIANAPOLIS— The last occasion this city hosted an NBA Finals game was nearly 25 years ago— on June 16, 2000— when Indiana defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 120-87 in Game 5.
Although it was a solid victory, the atmosphere was subdued since the Lakers already held a 3-2 series advantage and were returning home with two chances to secure the championship under the old 2-3-2 format. They ultimately did so in Game 6 a few nights later, claiming their first title in the Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Phil Jackson era.
The situation surrounding the Finals returning to this city could be reminiscent of events a year later. In June 2001, the Philadelphia 76ers, heavy underdogs, stunned the Lakers by winning Game 1, powered by Allen Iverson’s phenomenal 48-point performance (notably punctuated by his iconic step-over of Tyronn Lue).
After that, however, Los Angeles dominated the next four games— three of which were played on Philadelphia’s home court— winning by a combined total of 40 points, thus earning their second championship in what would become a legendary three-peat.
In a similar fashion, the visiting team secured Game 1 in the current series, thanks to Tyrese Haliburton’s clutch jump shot with just 0.3 seconds left on the clock. However, the favored Oklahoma City Thunder— who won 18 more games than Indiana during the regular season— found their rhythm to dominate Game 2, winning 123-107.
Heading home likely means more to the Pacers than it did for Philadelphia a quarter-century ago.
Here are four key points to watch as Indiana strives to establish a home-court advantage at Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Wednesday, 8:30 ET, ABC), while the Thunder aim to reclaim theirs:
Firstly, Indiana must capitalize on the “non-SGA minutes” for the Thunder during this series. An increasingly popular analytical tool in recent years is the on/off numbers, which evaluate a team’s efficiency when a specific player is in the game versus when they are not.
This trend began with Nikola Jokić, Denver’s exceptional center who often lacks sufficient support. Jokić has garnered three Kia MVP awards for multiple reasons, one being that the Nuggets usually outscored opponents by around 547 points with him on the floor, while being outscored by approximately 439 when he sits. This dynamic became a significant storyline during Denver’s 2023 championship run, with fans anticipating a downturn in performance during his rests.
Conversely, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won the MVP this season without needing that ‘value’ indicator. The Thunder performed 16.7 points better than opponents per 100 possessions with him in the game and still maintained a 5.2-point advantage when he sat. This net rating of 5.2 would rank fourth overall, indicating Oklahoma City’s strength even without its top player.
This trend has continued throughout the playoffs: 12.8 versus 6.9. In the first two Finals games, OKC has been eight points superior to Indiana with Gilgeous-Alexander on the court and seven points better when he is on the bench.
For the Pacers, addressing that second number is crucial. Whether it’s Jalen Williams, Aaron Wiggins, Alex Caruso, or another player initiating the Thunder’s offense during Gilgeous-Alexander’s absences, Indiana must be aggressive and utilize this limited time effectively. They should channel the energy expended in trying to contain Gilgeous-Alexander into their offensive output.
In Game 1, they managed to outscore OKC by four points during the 8:26 Gilgeous-Alexander was sidelined. Repeating this success is essential— if Indiana struggles to win the minutes he’s off the court, how could they expect to win those he’s playing?
Tyrese Haliburton, on the other hand, has faced challenges, illustrating a struggle to exert influence on the game as a pass-first point guard. He needs his teammates to create openings for him to score, as he cannot just take over like a high-volume scorer such as Gilgeous-Alexander, who can attempt additional shots to keep his team competitive.
So far, Haliburton has taken 13 shots per game this Finals, with point totals of 14 and 17, and his 12 points in Game 2 came too late. This isn’t sufficient. The Pacers perform significantly better when he scores at least 20 points in these playoffs, holding a 7-1 record compared to 6-4 when he nets less. The same goes for his shooting frequency: he boasts an 8-1 record when taking 15 or more shots versus 5-4 when dipping below that mark. Haliburton has yet to step to the free-throw line in the Finals, though he averaged 3.5 attempts in the Pacers’ earlier postseason games.
It’s essential for Haliburton to be more aggressive in seeking scoring opportunities, whether that means receiving the ball on the move— something the Thunder have effectively denied him— or through a dynamic passing and cutting game.
Chet Holmgren, the Thunder’s lanky big man, didn’t have much of an impact in the opening Finals game but significantly increased his presence in Game 2, contributing more than just the 15 points, six rebounds, and one block.
Standing at 7-foot-1 and weighing 208 pounds, Holmgren showcased his versatility on defense, stepping up in various situations throughout Sunday’s game. His teammates feel confident having him switch onto smaller, swifter players due to his foot speed and the length that enables him to contest shots without playing overly tight.
Furthermore, Holmgren has the capability to extend his defense farther away from the ball, knowing the restricted area is secure alongside center Isaiah Hartenstein. Coach Mark Daigneault commended both big men for their successful efforts against Indiana’s pick-and-rolls in Game 2.
Many Pacers fans believed that Oklahoma City was allowed to employ a more physical, aggressive defensive style during their two home games, while Indiana did not receive the same level of leniency. Although this could be mere fan perception, it’s possible that the distinct reputations of each team influenced some officiating calls.
The raucous crowd at Paycom Center may have contributed to this as well, but that dynamic shifts now, as Games 3 and 4 will be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where Indiana’s own fervent (if somewhat quieter) supporters will be present.
To date, the stats reflect that Oklahoma City has been called for 39 fouls, shooting 57 free throws and making 50 of them, while Indiana has recorded 47 fouls, with 47 free-throw attempts resulting in only 34 makes. This 16-point advantage from the foul line for OKC is significant, considering they have only outscored the Pacers by 15 combined points across the two games.
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Steve Aschburner has covered the NBA since 1980. You can reach him via email, view his archive, and follow him on X.
The opinions expressed on this page do not necessarily align with those of the NBA, its franchises, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
