Esperahenney (3:05)

So this was one of the most absurd games that I've watched live ever.

Dave DeFore (3:11)

Ever.

Esperahenney (3:13)

Just thinking about the way that we were. For the. For the majority of this game, we were saying, look, what an OKC masterclass. This is exactly what they were brought in to do. The turnover. I mean, they forced Indiana into. What was it, 25 turnovers in this game, 24 turnovers. The way that they were able to wreak havoc on the Pacers to the point where they didn't like to dribble, right. They didn't want to drive.

Dave DeFore (3:37)

There was a point in the second quarter where they. They were just throwing the ball around the perimeter. You know, maybe they'd get to the elbow, free throw line extended, but they were not getting into the paint. They only had, what, nine paint shots?

Esperahenney (3:47)

It's funny because maybe that's half. Maybe that ended up being a benefit because the shot making from the Pacer side in the second half was awesome. It's like, all right, we can't drive. We can't dribble around this team. We're not going to create some sort of mismatch in the post against them, but we're going to shoot the lights out.

Dave DeFore (4:07)

We're going to get the ball up. And that's kind of been the story for the Pacers this entire playoff run. They, look, they finished this game 18 of 39 from three. And that was the thing that kept them in it when they were not getting shots up. The thing is, they lose the shot battle by 16 shots. 98 shots for the Thunder, 82 shots for the Pacers. That is. That is a math problem that typically teams don't win, but when you shoot 46% from 3. Yeah. And they hold the Thunder to 40. 39.8% shooting. So below 40% shooting, I mean, this was a recipe for disaster to a certain degree with the Thunder. But the truth is that the crux of this game, 24 turnovers for the Pacers, 11 points off turnovers for the Thunder. And that is Thunder basketball is about scoring off those turnovers.

Esperahenney (4:53)

That's one part OKC not being able to capitalize because they just didn't shoot the ball well.

Dave DeFore (4:58)

Right.

Esperahenney (4:59)

But that's also another thing to credit Indiana for. Because I think outside of the shaw making from three, which OKC did a decent job, they shot 37% from three. They, they did what they could. They did not shoot well inside. They shot 40% on in the paint, 40% on twos. And, and for a team like that is led by sga, one of the best mid range scorers in the league. For them to be as bad as they were on two point shots really impacted this game. Especially in the fourth quarter when things got tight. Yeah, OKC's offense was all right. We're, we're hoping Lou Dort is going to end up knocking down a shot. Lou, by the way, was incredible in that first half. Felt like he was going to be the MVP of this game. But it just, it flipped because OKC got tight in the fourth quarter. And you know what this reminded me of? Game one versus down one. Exactly how it played out where we said, look, how is Indiana only down 6? How is Indiana only down 9? How are they only down 12? And they kept chipping away. And this is just a testament to the type of team the Pacers are and also the competition that the Pacers are for. The Thunder.

Dave DeFore (6:04)

Yeah, Obi Toppin was huge off the bench for the Pacers. 65 of 8 from 3. 6, 9 overall. 17 points in the game. That's six Pacers in double digits.

Esperahenney (6:16)

Right.

Dave DeFore (6:16)

Whereas when you look at the Thunder, I mean really the majority of the scoring done by Shago just Alexander 38 points, but it took him 30 shots to get there. Yeah, kind of an inefficient night for him compared to what we're used to. What did you think about the way the Pacers guarded him again?

Esperahenney (6:30)

I think in that fourth quarter they really shaded him on drives and forced everybody else to be the shot maker for them. And look, this is. We saw it in Minnesota where Chet and J Dub rose to the occasion. Right. I thought those two could be much better. J Dub was 6 of 19, Chet only 2 of 9. The way that Chet wasn't really aggressive in this game whatsoever, I thought he was pretty quiet for the most part. And J Dub had a few looks, but didn't knock them down in the fourth. And like, you need them to rise up in these moments. It's the NBA Finals, right?

Dave DeFore (7:02)

The thing is, like with Chad especially, I thought that there were more opportunities for him to attack off the dribble when they were closing out hard on the three ball, which again, he only took one three in the game. I'm not sure why the Pacers were closing out on him so hard, but he really only had that one drive where he drew free throws. And again, this is something that I, I expected to see more of, especially in minutes where he was out there with, you know, Obi Toppin was guarding him or, or whatever because, you know, he can put the ball on the floor, get him in foul trouble and get him out of the game. You know, they like to use Obi Toppen as that fastball off the bench. And if you can get these guys in the mud, maybe you throw them off their game. But if I had just stopped watching it at halftime, I would have expected this to become a blowout in the second half. So the difference in the second half is that the Pacers stopped turning the ball over and they continued to defend the Thunder at a high level. I mean, especially around the basket. Miles Turner is going to be a.

Esperahenney (7:55)

Guy that's probably overlooked unsung heroes in this game. Absolutely.

Dave DeFore (7:59)

Fifteen points, nine rebounds, had three blocks. But I would argue his defense in the paint and activity and effort around the rim really just made it tough on the Thunder.

Esperahenney (8:07)

Yeah, he was. Especially in that fourth quarter. He had two timely blocks or contests at the rim where OKC could have extended their lead to 15 or to 16 and it ended up being Turner gets a stop, Indiana gets out and running. And I think that was off of the one where they actually got the N. Smith three.

Dave DeFore (8:26)

Yeah.

Esperahenney (8:28)

And, and look, Turner also ended up with some huge rebounds in this game. And I think that's one of the things we've always talked about with Miles Turner. It's like, hey, can he be the guy who's going to close out defensive possessions for them with rebounds? He was huge. I mean, look, Aaron Nesmith, 12 rebounds in this game. Miles Turner, 10. Halliburton ended up with 10.

Dave DeFore (8:46)

Yeah. I mean, Pascal Siakam had four offensive rebounds, including that huge one, the put back and one. I mean, this is again, the Pacers, they just, they find a way. They're so scrappy. They find a. To stay in these games. And the thing is like when you see a 15 point lead like in the fourth quarter, that's not what we typically think of staying in a game, but for this Pacers team, it's almost like we got you right where we want you.

Esperahenney (9:11)

I do wonder, obviously, one of the major talking points before the game was OKC went small. They started Case and Wallace out the gate. I wonder if that was sort of playing into what Indiana likes to do, which is play small. And granted, OKC can play small with the best of them. They are so good. We talked about ad nauseam and on the previews of like, all right, cool, you can go caruso at the 4, J Dub at the 5. And they did that.

Dave DeFore (9:35)

They wanted to do that. It seemed like that was a part of their game plan. We want to get to that small ball lineup.

Esperahenney (9:41)

But even, even like Turner can play in small ball units because of the way that he spaces the floor, because of the way that he protects the paint. And also the. The Pacers can go small with Siakam and toppins.

Anthony Slater (9:52)

Right.

Esperahenney (9:52)

And still feel comfortable size they have.

Dave DeFore (9:54)

Which is how they close this game. And I was worried in real time. I was actually nervous, yeah, that it was a mistake to go away from Turner, you know, but it felt like down the stretch like that they just had all the momentum. And Obi Toppin was a huge reason why they had so much momentum. Him hitting those big threes and just, you know, his general energy off the bench, I feel like just gives them again. He's their fastball. He comes in and he's just running faster as a big. You got to keep up with him. And, you know, it opens things up. I thought in the mid range, like, you know, getting out and I think getting Halliburton on the move, off the ball when you have topping out there because you've just got to keep an eye on him at all times, it opens up the floor.

Esperahenney (10:36)

That's also a huge point to talk about with Andrew Nemhardt, right, Because in the fourth quarter, yes, they were getting Halle off the ball because Indiana was switching any type of action or the OKC was switching any type of action that Halle was trying to do with pick and roll coverages or whatever on the ball, but off the ball, Halle was moving, but it was about trying to get him off the catch. And you saw that in the game winner, where they kind of got him off movement and it gave him a little bit of an opening to hit that mid range shot. Also. Nemhard, what a shot maker.

Dave DeFore (11:07)

Amazing.

Esperahenney (11:07)

Like the. The huge shot to cut it to within three down. What it was like two minutes Left in the game over Shea. He kind of feels like he's over dribbling at this point, and it's like, this could be the game right here. And it was just such a deciding bucket because that's what really gave life to Indiana's comeback. It was, you know, kind of felt like those Nisma threes where in game one against New York where you're like, okay, that second one's interesting, the third one's cool, the fourth one's nice. But that fifth one where he hits it and you're like, okay, this. This thing is happening right now. That Nemhard 3 felt exactly like that.

Dave DeFore (11:40)

Well, to the point that I think he felt the same way, too. He came back down and, you know, a little lost in his house. But, you know, again, this Pacers team, they continue to make big shots down the street, never die.

Esperahenney (11:51)

Yeah, they just like, I have a. I have a stat from KA who is like the class.

Dave DeFore (11:55)

The unofficial NBA daily.

Esperahenney (11:57)

Yes.

Dave DeFore (11:58)

Stats and info.

Esperahenney (11:58)

Absolutely. Okay, so Indiana has come back from down 15 five times. The most comebacks in a single postseason in the play byplay era.

Dave DeFore (12:07)

That's just amazing.

Esperahenney (12:08)

It's unheard of.

Dave DeFore (12:09)

It's what. It's just what they do. Like, it's a weird thing to say that our identity. Yeah. Is coming back, but I actually think their identity is that they don't stop fighting.

Anthony Slater (12:18)

Right.

Dave DeFore (12:19)

That's allows them to come back.

Esperahenney (12:20)

They believe they're in every single game.

Dave DeFore (12:22)

And on the other hand, for the Thunder, it felt like their offense just sort of petered out. You know, you didn't see as much ball movement. They were settling. I thought for. For some shots, you know, Shay misses a couple jumpers that. That he typically would hit. Right. Like, you know, let's think ahead. Game two. Okay. If you're the Thunder, do you do anything differently?

Esperahenney (12:45)

I feel like that's showing too much of your hand at this point. Freaking out a little bit if you end up going back to the double bid. Right. Because now Indiana probably feels more comfortable. They're like, all right, we want you to go back to that small ball lineup. You know, it's kind of weird because I think that second half was more indicative of how the Pacers want to play because they didn't turn the ball over as much. They felt a little bit shook in that first half in terms of the. The atmosphere and the crowd. And by the way, like this, this was one of the best crowds I've ever witnessed.

Dave DeFore (13:13)

Yeah.

Esperahenney (13:14)

A lot of fun. And the way that Indiana drained this crowd with that Halle shot. It really took away what they could do in terms of what offense they could get. OkC. I think one of the things I'm looking forward for with OKC is like, all right, they punch back in a major way against Denver. Won by 40 plus, right? They've had a 40 plus point game in in Minnesota as well. Can they come back and defiantly answer? We've seen that they've been able to do that for the most part, but can they do it again?

Dave DeFore (13:45)

That that's a good question. We'll be back after the break. Anthony Slater's got all the fallout from the locker room.

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Dave DeFore (16:31)

Anthony Slater is a jack of all trades at the Athletic. We, you know, get him out here to OKC to pinch hit and cover the finals. Crazy game.

Anthony Slater (16:41)

Yes.

Dave DeFore (16:42)

Unbelievable turn of events to watch. The Pacers just throw the ball all over the gym and somehow leave with a win. I mean, you've seen a lot of basketball. Is this one of the craziest games you've ever seen?

Anthony Slater (16:52)

They live for 0.3.

Dave DeFore (16:54)

It's amazing.

Anthony Slater (16:54)

The whole game.

Dave DeFore (16:55)

The most important point three of the game.

Anthony Slater (16:57)

Yeah, it's, you know, it's, it's probably top 20 of like craziest games. But the fact that it was game one of the finals, the fact that they were massive underdogs, the fact that the entire game it looked like the series we thought it was going to look like in a lot of ways. And then it completely flips that quickly. And then you add in the backdrop of what has happened in these playoffs with the Pacers. So there was almost like a fearful nature of like, man, what if it is late? What if it is in Tyrese? Haliburton Sands. And the interesting thing is like Haliburton wasn't that good.

Dave DeFore (17:25)

No.

Anthony Slater (17:26)

In the game and he hasn't like in the games he's had these like, you know, career defining moments. Shots like he hasn't like Nemhard was the star of game one in New York. Right. And so Halliburton hits a shot that bounces to the roof. That was probably crazier. Right. I think if you, you know, and.

Esperahenney (17:43)

That the Neesmith game is nuts in game one. I'm thinking about the Halliburton game versus Milwaukee where he hit that layup that was obviously huge. And then the Cavs game where Halliburton kind of brings them back against game winner.

Dave DeFore (17:56)

Yeah.

Esperahenney (17:56)

Hit the game winner.

Anthony Slater (17:57)

So that's That's. Is that for all four series he has like three. He has like straight up. And I guess tonight's not a buzzer beater because it's 0.3, but essentially he is.

Dave DeFore (18:05)

Yeah.

Anthony Slater (18:05)

And then the layup. The how. What. How much time was left on the layup?

Esperahenney (18:08)

That was like two seconds left.

Dave DeFore (18:10)

Yeah.

Anthony Slater (18:10)

That was like the worst of his game winners in these playoffs, which is crazy. And then, you know, obviously I'm kind of covering more of the Thunder side of this thing. They had a game one collapse in these playoffs too.

Dave DeFore (18:21)

Yeah.

Anthony Slater (18:21)

To Denver. And I don't know how much of those ghosts were kind of spooking them tonight. They. They were kind of adamant prior to game one that. That their issues in game one against Denver weren't about the long layoffs.

Dave DeFore (18:34)

Right.

Anthony Slater (18:34)

And that they just had some clock management issues, obviously. Remember the foul up three situations. And this wasn't as much of like a strategic choke job, I would say. But it's still a choke job and it's still game one. And you now have to beat them five times in the series. And I know. I think Denver is the best opponent they face playoffs.

Esperahenney (18:51)

Yeah.

Anthony Slater (18:51)

But also I think part of the reason that Denver series went seven and they were on the brink was because they had to beat him five times.

Dave DeFore (18:57)

Yeah.

Anthony Slater (18:57)

And they now have to beat the Patriots five times.

Esperahenney (18:59)

What do you think it is about OKC that, like in these type of situations, like in the fourth, that kind of gets, I don't know, grind volley might be the way to word it.

Anthony Slater (19:09)

Because as historically dominant as they are, I don't think their offense is like, outrageously.

Dave DeFore (19:16)

It's not dynamic in a special way.

Anthony Slater (19:18)

No, I mean, like, you know, Shea was great tonight statistically 38, but I.

Dave DeFore (19:23)

Think it was like 30 shots.

Anthony Slater (19:24)

Yeah. 14 of 30, by the way. I mean, he. He missed a shot with 10 seconds left. Everyone will remember the Haliburton one if he hits his 12 footer. They're at least protected for the tie going into that last situation. Jalen Williams wasn't spectacular offensively. Chad Holmgren had a bad game two and nine.

Dave DeFore (19:43)

Yeah.

Anthony Slater (19:44)

And. But he's a plus four because it's interesting. They start Casen Wallace. Right. Right. Which was, you know, it's a curious move for a. For an overwhelming favorite who has started one way the entire playoffs to go to a different starting lineup in game one.

Esperahenney (19:58)

You think they should change it again?

Anthony Slater (19:59)

I don't know because, like, you know, and I asked Dagnol about it post game and his point Is like this is who we are part of their identity. Like we started 125 different ways this year. Wallace started 40 something games. Like I almost think they lean into this idea of like they don't have this firm starting lineup, but they. I think they were up 8 when they took Homegrown out with 3:20ish to go. They go small, no center, which clearly. Clearly their thought process going into the series was small. Was. Was the way to go. But they lost the game small tonight. I don't know how much they'll look at it and like believe that because they want small. They lost.

Esperahenney (20:36)

Yeah.

Anthony Slater (20:36)

But it is interesting.

Dave DeFore (20:37)

I don't know. Hardenstein really was great off the bench. Nine points, nine rebounds. 17 minutes plus two and 17.

Anthony Slater (20:44)

That's really low. Homegren 24 hard. Interesting.

Esperahenney (20:47)

Yeah, they played really small throughout the game. Yeah, they had, they had like a lineup with where it was basically no chat, no Hartenstein and then it was just Caruso J Dub, you know, like that was the lineup that they did.

Anthony Slater (21:03)

That like you almost think you're overwhelming 68 win team from the superior conference at home would like overthinking it. Yeah, it's like we'll adjust later if you force us to. But okay, but.

Dave DeFore (21:16)

But here's the thing. The case and wall in the first half. If I only showed you the first half, you'd say, oh wow, this is amazing. This wow. You see adding that extra guard sort of who can apply ball pressure, who can play passing ways. I mean the switchability the way that they were. They were guarding Halliburton where they were pre switching off the ball, bringing dort up on the screener. I thought that all that was excellent in the first half. And you can only do that if you start Casey Wallace.

Anthony Slater (21:41)

So you know, I mean, yeah, they turned him over what, 19 times in the first half. You asked. Have I seen some of the stuff that we saw tonight? Have you guys seen 19?

Dave DeFore (21:50)

Never.

Anthony Slater (21:50)

First half turnovers.

Esperahenney (21:52)

They're the first team, I believe it ever to have a turnover ratio the way that they did and still win a game.

Anthony Slater (21:59)

Yeah. Playoffs also. Have you seen the points off turnovers? Yeah, the Thunders probably their biggest issue, I think it was 11 off 25. Yeah, that's unthunder, right? Absolutely. Because it's not only that they turn you over, it's that that is how they, you know, offensively. So weird. Kind of a weird game. I think if you're the Thunder, you're leaving tonight deflated. Clearly the crowd was. But like I bet Vegas still has them as favorites of this. Oh yeah, probably pretty significant.

Dave DeFore (22:29)

Well, can obi Toppin hit six out of nine?

Anthony Slater (22:31)

Three. That's what he was.

Dave DeFore (22:32)

Six and nine from three plus 13.

Esperahenney (22:35)

I mean, they've been doing this all play.

Guest Speaker (22:36)

They have.

Dave DeFore (22:36)

And Obi Toppin has sort of been their fastball off the bench. You know, he's the guy that flies up and down the court. He catches lobs and he's. He's hit threes during this playoff run. Now six of nine. I mean, I don't think anyone expect him to do that again. But when you look at, at, you know, Pascal Siakam didn't really have that, that big of a game, 19 points, but didn't feel like he was the presence that he usually is.

Anthony Slater (22:59)

He had a big rebound late that like air ball rebound.

Esperahenney (23:02)

Yeah.

Anthony Slater (23:03)

And you know, again, Halliburton obviously has the jumper. Like they made plays late, but yeah, you didn't like, look at indies. They have six guys. They have no 20 point scores. Right as I'm looking now. Six guys obviously in double figures, but no 20 point scores. There was not a spectacular performance. I mean, although you mentioned it top and hitting five threes.

Dave DeFore (23:21)

Yeah.

Anthony Slater (23:22)

But they did what they need to do. I thought the nem hard step back.

Dave DeFore (23:26)

That was three insane.

Anthony Slater (23:28)

Yeah.

Dave DeFore (23:28)

The dribbling moves before the three. I just.

Anthony Slater (23:31)

There's not for a guy who goes four of 11 and that, you know, at the, at that point he's one of five from three to be like, you know, he thinks He's Damien Lillard.

Dave DeFore (23:39)

26% from 3. Yeah.

Esperahenney (23:41)

In the, in the regular season, he shot 26. That was like obviously turned it up.

Anthony Slater (23:44)

It was like a star level, like I said, like a hot Damien Lillard in Portland type move.

Dave DeFore (23:49)

And then came back and did it.

Anthony Slater (23:50)

Again and missed and missed.

Dave DeFore (23:52)

But.

Anthony Slater (23:55)

I guess you earn it. Yeah.

Dave DeFore (23:57)

I don't know.

Anthony Slater (23:57)

It'd be an interesting night. What'd y' all think of the crowd?

Dave DeFore (24:00)

You know, what we actually, we talked about in the first half of the show. Excellent crowd. I mean, I, I believe that this is a really great place to watch basketball game. The lower bowl, the way that they sweep it, it's great. So loud. But then the stark contrast between how loud they were. I mean, hitting like 105 decibels on my watch, you know, I was getting that warning to just completely deflated.

Esperahenney (24:21)

Where does this rank for you in terms of crowds you've seen? Because war, I mean, Peak warriors was incredible.

Anthony Slater (24:27)

Peak warriors and Oracle was incredible. And also I covered the Thunder and the Durant years when it was like that. More like early organic version. And maybe I'm biased, but I prefer those early Thundercrauds, so they're just like passable. Showed up in the prairie and they were just like stunned by, you know, like, Kobe Bryant is here. This is unbelievable. Those. I've always felt those were like the, like the best crowds. But I mean, as far as league wide, you know, it's. This might be number one. Boston, like the. The really drunk 9:00pm Boston crowds for the 22 finals. I went to Warrior Celtics. Like, like that was really.

Esperahenney (25:05)

That too.

Anthony Slater (25:06)

Yeah, that's. That was like a full girt.

Esperahenney (25:10)

That Kings playoff run.

Anthony Slater (25:11)

Yeah. I mean, it was one round, which is crazy, but like, for the Kings, that was like, that's there, but the.

Dave DeFore (25:16)

Cowbells kind of ruined.

Anthony Slater (25:17)

I will say this game one of that series was unbelievable because it was this playoff drought for 16 years. And like, that was such a, like, cathartic moment for that whole fan base where I think like game two, Game five, Like, like those are more normal, like, good playoff crowds. One was like one of the. More one of the games I will remember the most.

Dave DeFore (25:38)

All right, so we got a couple of days before game two. What is going to be on your mind for the next couple days? Like, when you're thinking about the series.

Anthony Slater (25:46)

Yeah. You know, how. How much do the Thunder react, overreact, whatever, to what we were talking about earlier? Like, do they go back double big? But then are you like, are they panicking? You know, like, it would. It would feel like they're probably going to re. Watch this tape. Still believe they're definitely the better team.

Dave DeFore (26:04)

Yeah.

Anthony Slater (26:04)

Maybe throw Wallace out there. Because whatever they thought about this series prior, they probably still kind of think about it like.

Dave DeFore (26:09)

Yeah.

Anthony Slater (26:10)

Is it a small series? Like, maybe.

Esperahenney (26:12)

I. I would say it is a small series. But do you. Does your prediction change now that indies.

Anthony Slater (26:17)

I would have said Thunder and five prior to tonight. I'll probably say Thunder and six now so it gets bumped again. But you know, like, once a series shifts from a 5 to a 6 gamer, it's a lot more tense.

Esperahenney (26:29)

Yeah.

Anthony Slater (26:29)

You know, well, the series is officially.

Dave DeFore (26:31)

Started now because they lost game one. So we. We are not. Are we. Are we worried about getting. Getting swept?

Anthony Slater (26:41)

I will say this. This sets it up to be a much more compelling series.

Esperahenney (26:44)

Yes.

Anthony Slater (26:45)

Because if the Thunder win tonight, you're going into two. Like, man, if they just roll through, everyone will at that point start talking about a sweep. A five game or whatever. Now you have the underdog up one zero, which means you have a tense Game two at home. Then you have a one one Game three in Indy, which does those one ones where you go, you know. And you know that Indy crowd, even if they lose, they lose by 40 and they might, right? Denver did. After they beat the Thunder Game one, that Indy crowd is still going to be like one one. They're going to be juiced up. And then even if the Thunder went in and won that Game three, you still have the two one. The the road team has an ability to tie it to two. So this pretty much guarantees the next three games are compelling to some degree entering the game. So it's probably good for the league. I would say this was a very good result for the great basketball game on the way.

Dave DeFore (27:30)

Yeah. Anything else before we close out Game one?

Esperahenney (27:33)

The Indiana paces are blessed by the basketball gods. That's the only thing I would say. All right, I'm leaving with that.

Anthony Slater (27:39)

The Sabonist for Haliburton trade. That's it.

Dave DeFore (27:41)

Well, Paul George really the key to the whole finals right here. That's going to do it for the show, folks. Thank you guys for listening. Let us know in the comments on YouTube. Is it going to go seven? I don't know. Or do the Pacers have a shot? Let us know For Anthony Slater and esperahenny, I'm Dave DeFore and this has been the NBA Daily. Thanks for waking up with us foreign.

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