I write this after game #3 of NBA finals. It may well that the Pacer’s plan does not work in game #4 so you decide that this is not valuable.
My take is that everyone who knows the NBA is in agreement that OKC has much more talent than Indiana. So how is Indiana managing to be up 2 to 1.
The Pacers and Rick Carlisle have since January 1 shown a tremendous ability to attack matchups. The problem vs. OKC is that OKC doesn’t really have a weak defensive matchup. So how has Indiana succeeded in playing with more a more talent team.
The Pacers plan to guard SGA (The NBA MVP) is at the heart of their plan. It is a plan that can be used on all levels vs. a talented guard. Here are some stats from Game #3…
1- The Pacers pick up point for SGA was 65 feet from the basket. If he was going to bring the ball up as he normally does, they made him beat pressure from 65 feet.They were not trying to turn him over- just wear him out.
2- As a result of the pressure, SGA initiated their offense on 23 possessions. This is the second lowest total for SGA to start the offense in all of their games this season. It was easier to give up the ball.
3- Defensively they made SGA the primary defender on the ball in 20+ possessions. In other words, he was the defender on the shooter in those possessions. They made SGA work on defense.
4- Indiana used 5 different defenders on SGA as the primary defender to wear him down.
5- In the fourth quarter, SGA was only 1 for 3 from the field.
It is easier said than done but Indiana developed a strategy to wear down OKC’s best player. This is certainly a strategy that could be used on all levels.
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