The NBA Finals have commenced, featuring the Oklahoma City Thunder, the top seed in the West, and the Indiana Pacers, the fourth seed in the East, both vying for their first Larry O’Brien trophy.

This marks the Pacers’ first Finals venture since 2000, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games. Conversely, the Thunder last reached the Finals in 2012, succumbing to LeBron James and the Miami Heat in five games.

Here are the significant insights from Sunday’s Game 2 and what to anticipate for Game 3.

Game 2: Thunder 123, Pacers 107

Thunder Highlights: The Thunder executed crucial lessons learned from Game 1 by maintaining engagement throughout all 48 minutes after squandering a 15-point lead in the previous Finals game. They outscored the Pacers 33-21 in the second quarter while leading by as much as 23 points, securing a robust 19-point advantage entering the final quarter. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shined with a 34-point performance, aided by a supportive bench that outscored the Pacers’ reserves 48-34. The Thunder’s defense effectively stifled the Pacers’ offense, with four players scoring over 18 points, while the Pacers struggled to find their rhythm with no one exceeding 17 points.

Pacers Highlights: The Pacers faced drawbacks, including being outrebounded 43-35 and outscored in the paint 42-34. Tyrese Haliburton recorded only 17 points, struggling particularly in the first half with just three points on 1-for-5 shooting. The Pacers looked disjointed against a revitalized Thunder team, who ensured that no late-game runs from Indiana could shift the momentum.

What to Expect in Game 3: The Pacers are anticipated to adopt a more aggressive strategy. Haliburton needs to lower his turnovers and increase his scoring to facilitate a smoother path to victory. Meanwhile, the Thunder aim to replicate their comprehensive performance, staying vigilant against the Pacers’ potential comeback threats, especially on their home court. The Thunder benefitted significantly from diverse contributions, including Alex Caruso’s crucial scoring and defense.

Game 1 Recap: Pacers 111, Thunder 110

Thunder Reflections: Oklahoma City came away from Game 1 with an important lesson: no lead is ever secure against the Pacers, who have demonstrated a penchant for historic comebacks. Haliburton’s pull-up jumper with mere seconds left secured their thrilling victory.

Pacers Insights: Despite Haliburton’s standout moments, the team suffered through 25 turnovers to the Thunder’s seven, significantly hindering their playoff rhythm.

Overall, the Thunder must maintain their focus throughout the game to avoid lapses and give the Pacers room to operate.

Tyrese Haliburton highlighted again with his high-stakes plays, establishing himself further in postseason lore.