Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander determined to ‘suck it up’, attack in Game 4

INDIANAPOLIS – Physical and fast was the Pacers’ defensive approach in Game 3 of the National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals, and more of the same is coming until Shai Gilgeous-Alexander proves he and the Thunder can handle it.

“You got to suck it up. There’s a maximum four games left in the season,” the NBA’s Most Valuable Player Gilgeous-Alexander said of the hands-on defence from Indiana, who beat them 116-107 at home in Game 3 on June 11.

“It’s what you worked the whole season for. It’s what you worked all summer for. To me, the way I see it, you got to suck it up, get it done and try to get a win.”

Game 4, which will be hosted by Indiana again on June 13 (June 14, Singapore time), is vital to Oklahoma City after trailing 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.

Indiana appeared to be the better conditioned team in Game 3, closing out with a finishing kick and riding the adrenaline of a locked-in home crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle gave additional credit to Andrew Nembhard, Ben Sheppard and Aaron Nesmith for their collective defensive effort and its role in limiting Gilgeous-Alexander.

“I wouldn’t say it surprised me,” Thunder forward Chet Holmgren said of the Pacers’ stamina in Game 3. “That’s kind of been I guess you could say their identity leading up to this series.

“It’s what’s showed up in the games up to this point. We have to figure out a way to counteract that and kind of change that – and swing it in our favour because it’s not a winning formula to not be better than the other team in the fourth quarter.”

Gilgeous-Alexander had only four free-throw attempts in the second half and appeared to wear down late in the game. He took only three shots in the final 12 minutes.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said they were out of character in a lot of ways, adding: “I think that happens in a play-off series. Four games, five games, six games, seven games is a long time.

“You’re going to get a range of games and experiences in that. We have to get it course-corrected pretty quickly if we want to give ourselves a better chance in Game 4.”

This is the second time they have faced such a deficit in the post-season. They were down after three games in the Western Conference second-round series against the Denver Nuggets before eventually winning in seven.

Oklahoma City lost back-to-back games just twice during the regular season and have yet to drop consecutive games in the play-offs.

Meanwhile, the Pacers have led 2-1 in each of their four series this post-season.

“That’s the challenge before us right now, is to maintain,” Carlisle said. “It’s got to be a killer edge to beat these guys.

“We’re going to be an underdog in every game in this series... It’s a daunting challenge. Anything less than a total-grit mindset, we just don’t have a chance.”

The Pacers have thrived in that underdog role, something that guard Tyrese Haliburton said after their Game 1 win, that has driven him and the rest of the team since last season.

The fifth-year guard is coming off his best game in the series, with 22 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds in Indiana’s win in Game 3.

“I think the biggest thing with right now is this is like a really exciting time. To play against these guys is an honour,” Haliburton said.

“It’s a lot of fun. This is a 68-win team, historically one of the best defences ever.

“This is a really good team. They have the MVP. They have a bunch of dudes who are going to be in this league for a long time having a lot of success.

“As competitors, you want to compete against the best and these guys are the best.”

Getting back to their defensive identity is at the forefront for the Thunder, after the Pacers shot 51.8 per cent (44 of 85) from the field in Game 3.

“We’ve kind of strayed away from it a little bit,” forward Jalen Williams said. “I think when you’re scoring at a good rate, sometimes it can drop off a little bit. That’s something that we’ve looked at.”

The Pacers have outscored the Thunder 67-43 in the fourth quarter in their two wins in the series.

Indiana’s Myles Turner continues to battle an illness, though he had a critical block and rebound late in the Game 3 win.

Carlisle said Turner was with the team during their film session the day after the game before heading home to recuperate.

“Hopefully, he’ll feel better tomorrow,” Carlisle said. “We’ll see.” REUTERS