OKC isn’t just good this season – they are elite.
The league is second and the net score is second, and it is one of only two teams in the top five offensive and defensive efficiency. They are a machine all year round.
But Indiana? Nor are they fluorine. After the start of the season 10-15, this included injuries to key starters like Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith – the Pacers stripped the game 52-21. This is more victorious than any team that hasn’t named Thunder.
These are the two best teams in the league since New Year’s Day. Despite this, OKC’s dominance is still a clear gap.
“They’ve historically been great on both sides of the ball,” said Tyrese Haliburton. “They have MVPs. I mean, there are a lot of different things you can list up and down the list why they’re so good, what they do, and why they’re such a great team.”
OKC played the regular season against Indiana. In the second game, they dropped 133.3 offensive ratings, while Indiana ranked fourth in the game.
The Thunder had nearly a full week off before Game 1, but the SGA has not yet reflected this season.
“Honestly, not really. I’ve been focusing on the first game,” Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Become the best version of this group and trying to make sure we click all cylinders at the biggest stage of our career, which is the front part of my mind.”
“When I’m worried about basketball, that’s what I really worry about,” he added. “I haven’t taken the time to look back and see all the things we do.
The walkers know they are not their favorite. They knocked down the top-seeded Knights and sent the Knicks home. But they are embracing the weak label of the third series.
“We know the odds on us pile on us, but you know, that’s the truth,” Halliburton said. “We want to be here. We want to play the best, and it’s the best. So we look forward to the challenge.”
Pascal Siakam responded to this mentality.
“I think we’re focused on ourselves,” he said. “I don’t think I want anyone to pick us up. It’s like the whole playoffs. The whole season is like the whole season. So I don’t think there’s really a change for us. It’s always been we’re against anyone, so it won’t change.”
And, Halliburton would have no other way if the walker was going to do this.
“If we were to win the championship, I didn’t want to win any other way,” he said. “I didn’t want to walk around or walk over. I wanted to be on the best team. They coached. There was no shortcut for this team.”
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