INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers advanced to the NBA Finals after a stunning 108-91 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the playoffs on Thursday night. The Pacers' success in minimizing turnovers was a key factor in their victory.
Coach Rick Carlisle emphasized that the team played better in terms of turnovers compared to Game 5, where they coughed up the ball a whopping 22 times in an 11-point loss. In Game 6, Indiana had zero turnovers in the first quarter and only two by halftime, building a 30-point lead before backups played the majority of the fourth quarter. Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had more turnovers by himself (eight) than the entire Pacers roster after three quarters.
Forward Obi Toppin said, "We watched film, and it tells us what we do. We knew we had to be better today." The team's focus on minimizing turnovers paid off early, as they led by three after the first quarter despite shooting only 32% from the field.
Guard Tyrese Haliburton noted that going into Game 7, it's important for the Pacers to control the "controllables," such as effort and physicality. "Can you win the rebound battle, can you win the turnover battle, can you set the tone from a physicality standpoint?" he asked. "Those are all what's been very important through all these games, and I feel like whoever has done that has won the game."
The Pacers' success in holding onto the ball has been a key indicator in their recent wins. In their last two victories in the finals, Indiana has averaged only 12.5 turnovers, compared to 18 in their three losses. Oklahoma City, meanwhile, has forced 3.1 more turnovers per game in its playoff wins compared to its losses.
As the series shifts to Game 7, it will be crucial for both teams to maintain control of the ball and minimize mistakes on the offensive end. The margins will once again decide the winner and crown a champion for the 2024-25 season.
