A few thoughts (and Pacers keys) before Game 3 of the NBA Finals
On slow starts, touching paint, and is Game 3 a make-or-break it for Indiana?
Through the first two games, the Pacers have only led for 1:53.
Not even two of the 96 minutes played.
And yet the best-of-seven series is even at 1-1.
That’s why the Pacers should feel good about things as the 2025 NBA Finals resumes Wednesday evening. Now the games are in Indy, on the Pacers’ home court — and with 17,274 fans firmly behind them.
“It's a good reset,” Aaron Nesmith said of the return home. “You get to sleep in your own bed, get back to your home-game routines, kind of take a breather after being on the road for six days.”
Added Andrew Nembhard: “Expecting a crazy crowd, jumping out of their seats, having fun, enjoying the moment.”
The 68-win Thunder were the best team — and the clear favorites in the finals — for a reason. They have scoring, defensive, versatility, and unpredictability. Now it’s on the Pacers to make them uncomfortable.
All the pressure is on the Thunder; nobody expected the Pacers to still be playing into June. Sure, the players had hope to, and it was a goal of theirs back in September, but they’ve had to overcome a lot and have some spectacular late comebacks go their way to put them in this position, which they’ve earned.
Now with the next two games on their home floor, and with their crowd behind them, they need to handle their business.
Especially in Game 3.
Or else OKC’s confidence will be sky high as they would take back home-court advantage and be comfortable the rest of the way.
Again, the Pacers have only led for 1:53. They’ve been outscored in five of eight quarters, but it hasn’t even been that close.
One thing the Thunder did so well in the first two games was answer when the Pacers went on runs.
The Pacers haven’t lost consecutive games since March 10th. Here’s what they need to do in Game 3 to prevent another loss.
