Full Throttle to the Finish Line: Pacers Prep for Indy’s First Finals Tilt Since 2000
Grab your checkered flags, Indy — the NBA Finals finally roll into the Racing Capital of the World on Wednesday night as the Pacers and Thunder rev their engines for Game 3 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. After splitting in Oklahoma City, the Blue & Gold sit in the pole position to reclaim momentum on their home track — but they’ll need to fine-tune a few spark plugs before the green flag drops.
Pit-Stop Adjustments
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Own the Infield: Indiana was outscored 54-34 in the paint through two games, including a first-quarter goose egg in Game 2 — the club’s first scoreless paint stanza in nine seasons. Expect early post touches for Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam, plus turbo-charged drives from Tyrese Haliburton to pry open those Thunder rim protectors.
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Tempo, Tempo, Tempo: The Pacers thrive in transition, yet OKC has bottled up Indy’s Indy-Car pace by turning live-ball turnovers into sprint-back situations. Limiting giveaways (Indiana coughed it up 34 times combined) will free Haliburton to hit the nitrous on the break.
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Thunder Roadblock: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s mid-range maestro act is humming at 34 points per game, forcing Rick Carlisle to choose between aggressive traps or selective shot-clock squeezes. Look for TJ McConnell’s pesky on-ball pressure and Aaron Nesmith’s length to throw a few speed bumps at SGA.
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Bench Boost: Obi Toppin’s 17-point spark in Game 1 helped steal home-court; Indiana needs a repeat from the second-unit artillery to counter OKC’s deep pit crew of shot-makers.
The Fieldhouse will be at maximum RPM for the first Finals contest in 25 years. Grab your checkered flags, Indy—OK, maybe leave them at home this time—but keep the engines of enthusiasm revving for Wednesday night. Gainbridge Fieldhouse hosts its first NBA Finals game since 2000, and every decibel will matter. Expect roaring chants during defensive stands, three-point “threes sirens” shaking the rafters, and an in-arena light show to match Indy’s electric skyline. If the Pacers pound the paint early, knock down their kick-out threes, and ride the wave of 17,000 plus thundersticks, they can convert home-court horsepower into a decisive 2-1 series lead—no pit stops required.