Oklahoma City Thunder Against the Indiana Pacers Is an unexpected duel in the NBA finals. “OKC“With the German Center Isaiah Hartenstein, it is easy to favor.
The NBA final series between Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers is the duel between two teams that had not necessarily been expected. To underline this, the US broadcaster looked “ESPN“Back in the past winter, to the Christmas program in the NBA. There was also the duel between” OKC “and the Pacers on December 26th. The appointment is important because it was only the second Christmas day.
The “Christmas Games” are an integral part of the American television tradition. All important leagues are preferred for December 25th, the actual Christmas day in the USA, preferably encounters with the famous teams, which are then transferred nationwide. The Thunder and the Pacers, two representatives of the “Small Markets “apparently were not one of the attractions that the Americans wanted to put on on the holiday.
Pacers still without NBA titles
The fact that this time none of the big names, neither defending champion Boston, nor the Lakers or Golden State, made it into the final is also the late revenge of the province. And two teams that have never been taken really seriously in the past when it comes to the decisive phase of the playoffs in June, and the NBA title. This is also due to the fact that the Pacers are one of the few franchises that have never won the NBA title. They were last 25 years ago in the final.
Oklahoma City was able to celebrate the championship once, in 1979. However, the franchise there was still in Seattle, under the name Supersonics. For the city of Oklahoma City, it would be the first title in one of the big US profile.
Gilgeous-Alexander, Holgren, Williams – The new super team at “OKC”
In 2012, the Thunder, as a young “super team” with Kevin Durant, James Harden and Russell Westbrook, was already close, but lost the final series against Miami around LeBron James. Sam Presti, then as now the mighty man at the Thunder, built a new, young top team for years after the three stars departed, with a far-sighted squad policy and wise Draft picks.
The masterpiece is Prestis Deal with the Los Angeles Clipper In 2019, in which the Thunder not only got Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, now the most valuable player in the league. On top of that, there was also a handful of first -round picks for the draft, which Presti later used, among other things, to sign Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams.
Three players who now form the basic structure of the successful team, who rushed through the regular season with 68 victories and also only ended up in danger in the playoffs: in the Conference semi -finals against the Denver nuggetsthe “OKC” forced into a seventh game, but were sent on vacation with a 32-point pack.
Playoff record of the Thunder – Four victories with 30 points difference
In the Conference finals The Thunder rolled over the in five games Minnesota Timberwolves From gone – and moved into the NBA finals well deserved. Overall, Oklahoma City has already won four wins in this year’s playoffs with a lead of 30 points or more.
But what makes them favorites in the finals is above all their impressive defense: The Thunder have the best defensive rating of the NBA, measured by how many points they allow in 100 attacks by the opponent. In the playoffs you have even improved your defensive statistics.
Thunder defensive as a showpiece “like seven pit bulls”
The Thunder can suffocate the opponent’s game like no other NBA team, defend them in the collective, aggressive and excellent coordinated, rave out and put out and force the opponent to lose the ball, 18 in the playoffs, which often lead to slight points. After lost one-to-one duels, you immediately get the help, you block pass paths and scrape the zone with its strong, movable “big men”, which has also been part of Isaiah Hartenstein since this season, which has also been established in “OKC” in the start formation.
No getting through in Oklahoma City: Isaiah Hartenstein represents Julius Randle (left)
“It feels like you are not taking it up with five, but with seven pit bulls”said Cleveland’s coach Kenny Atkinson after a regular game of the season against the Thunder. Isaiah Thomas, Hall of Famer The NBA, felt reminded of his old team at the defensive concept of “OKC”, the notorious Detroit Pistons At the end of the 1980s. At the time, the pistons regularly destroyed the emerging Chicago Bulls With Michael Jordan – There can hardly be a higher award in the NBA for good defensive work.
“Our defense gives us superpowers. If we implement it correctly, then we are unstoppable”said Alex Caruso, the second important new addition to the summer to Hartenstein, who raised the Thunder to a new level again.
Pacers in the final – all skeptics instructed
They will also need their super defensive in the final series: against the Indiana Pacers who overrun their opponents in the playoffs with their quick, determined attacking game. And an extremely deep squad, led by playmaker Tyrese Haliburton, who has finally risen to the superstar in the PostSeason. In addition to its known strengths as a template, Haliburton has proven to be a real leader and scorer, also in the crucial moments: As with the incredible comeback victory in the Conference Finals at the New York Knicksthe foundation for the later final.
Incidentally, in the annual election for the All-NBA team, Haliburton only landed in the “Third Team”, i.e. in the third team. Here, too, the Pacers instructed the skeptics of one better with their final.
The way to the NBA finals
| Game | OKC – Timbervolves | series |
|---|---|---|
1 | 114: 88 | 1: 0 |
2 | 118: 103 | 2: 0 |
3 | 101: 143 | 2: 1 |
4 | 128: 126 | 3: 1 |
5 | 124: 94 | 4: 1 |
| Game | New York Knicks – Indiana Pacers | series |
|---|---|---|
1 | 135: 138 NV | 0: 1 |
2 | 109: 114 | 0: 2 |
3 | 106: 100 | 1: 2 |
4 | 121: 130 | 1: 3 |
5 | 111: 94 | 2: 3 |
6 | 108: 125 | 2: 4 |