Indianapolis – The physique and the rapid were the Pacers’ defensive approach in match 3 of the NBA final, and even more so that Shai Gilgeous -Alexander proves that he and the Thunder can manage it.
“You have to suck him. There are a maximum of four games in the season,” Gilgeous-Alexander said on Thursday about the practical defense of Indiana in match 3. “That’s why you worked all season. That’s why you worked all summer.
Friday match 4 is vital for Oklahoma City after having late 2-1 in the final of the best of the seven NBA. Indiana seemed to be the best conditioned team on Wednesday evening, closing match 3 with a final kick and on the adrenaline of a locked house. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle granted additional credit to Andrew Nembhard, Ben Sheppard and Aaron Nesmith for their collective defensive effort and the role he played in the limitation of the contributions of Gilgeous-Alexander.
“I would not say that it surprised me,” said Thunder Chet Holmgren’s striker about the Endurance of the Pacers in match 3. “It is somehow I suppose that you could say their identity leading to this series. This is what appeared in the games to this point. We must not be better not to be better than the other team in the neighborhood.”
Gilgeous-Alexander had only four attempts to throw frank in the second half of match 3 and seemed to wear out late in the match. He only took three shots in the last 12 minutes.
“We were a little out of character in many ways yesterday,” said Thunder’s coach Mark Deigneuult. “I think it happens in a eliminatory series. Four games, five games, six games, seven games, it’s long. You will get a range of matches and experiences. We have to have it correct it fairly quickly if we want to give ourselves a better chance in match 4.”
– Jeff Reynolds, field level media
