OKC Thunder one win from NBA title, expect ‘best punch’ from Indiana Pacers in Game 6
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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shoots past Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam and guard Andrew Nembhard.
PHOTO: REUTERS
INDIANAPOLIS – One win away from the first National Basketball Association title in franchise history, Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault believes preparation for Game 6 of the Finals on June 19 (June 20, Singapore time) at Indianapolis boils down to how the other sneaker fits.
“We’re always trying to put ourselves in our opponent’s shoes,” he said of his team’s focus with a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series ahead of the first elimination game of the NBA Finals.
“Zero and zero mindset. We’re not introducing any new concepts right now, we’re just relying on the psychological habits we’ve built over time.”
Perspective might be more challenging for Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, as his squad faces the task of attempting to win two consecutive games against the Thunder, with All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton at less than full strength.
Carlisle said it will be late afternoon or early evening on June 19 before the Pacers have a realistic feel for what Haliburton can contribute, as Indiana attempt to send the series back to Oklahoma City for Game 7 on June 22.
He participated in a walkthrough on June 18, but the 30-minute session involved no “real running”, by Carlisle’s assessment.
“I think it depends on who you ask. I have to understand the risks, ask the right questions,” Haliburton said of how he will decide to play. But I’m a competitor. I want to play. I’m going to do everything in my power to play.”
Haliburton scored 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds – just one shy of a triple-double – in Indiana’s Game 3 win. Since then, a calf strain has affected his performance, after he had already tweaked his ankle in Game 2.
As Oklahoma City turned a 2-1 series deficit to a 3-2 advantage, Haliburton has struggled from the field, hitting just 7 of 21 shots from the field over the past two games, including a 1-for-11 clip from 3-point range. He has totalled just 22 points in 70 minutes.
“You don’t underestimate great players. In the case that he plays, we’re expecting his best punch,” Daigneault said. “You don’t underestimate great teams. In the event he doesn’t play, we’re expecting Indiana’s best.”
Heroes of the series emerged from almost every segment of the rotation.
Haliburton’s near-triple-double in Game 3 was underscored by Indiana’s 49 bench points, 27 from Bennedict Mathurin and five steals from T.J. McConnell.
“I think obviously Tyrese is a big part of what we do. Whether he plays or not, I think it’s going to be a team thing,” Pacers forward Pascal Siakam said. “We have to together all step up. The importance of the game, we just all have to take a step forward. It’s going to be down the line.
“I don’t think any one of us should feel like one person is going to have to do it. It’s going to be collective.”
Siakam put up 28 points and stepped up in the fourth quarter of Game 5 without Haliburton. More of the same is in order if the Pacers wish to keep up with Thunder’s 1-2 punch.
Thunder MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a combined 66 points in Games 4 and 5. But the national spotlight has been shared with Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams, who tallied 67 points over the same span, including a 40-point outburst in Game 5 with the Pacers setting a defence determined to help and force the ball out of Gilgeous-Alexander’s hands.
He said being “on the cusp of winning is not winning, and the way I see it, winning is all that matters”. He also credited the organisation for building the culture and environment to make the Thunder a marvel of a turnaround story.
He said he is buoyed at this point in the season by the closeness of the locker room and how much fun the entire team is having.
“Focusing on Game 6,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Focusing on just being the best version of myself for this basketball team for whatever it takes – however many games it is, however many possessions are needed, however many moments. Stay in the moment, and just try to stick to that script.”
With Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams both averaging over 30 points per game the last three games, Oklahoma City expect nothing less than greatness on June 19. REUTERS
