FORTUNATELY: How Pacers can win Game 7 of NBA Finals vs. Thunder, per Draymond Green and also Deni……see more
Draymond Green emphasized that while the Thunder boast the best defense in the series—anchored by elite individual defenders—OKC’s transition defense has vulnerabilities
clutchpoints.com
+2
clutchpoints.com
+2
si.com
+2
nypost.com
+13
basketnews.com
+13
archysport.com
+13
. The Pacers thrive in the open court, ranking third in fast-break points (15.5 PPG)
cadenaser.com
+3
lwosports.com
+3
africa.espn.com
+3
. To win, Indiana must force turnovers and push the pace immediately after possession changes. NBC Sports analysts agree: Pacers must “score in transition as much as humanly possible” and avoid half‑court stagnation
dnyuz.com
.
2. Win the Turnover Battle
OKC leads the league in forced turnovers (over 18 per game in the playoffs)
cadenaser.com
+15
lwosports.com
+15
africa.espn.com
+15
. ESPN notes the Pacers are strong ball handlers (fewest turnovers in postseason), but even a slight disparity could cost them
africa.espn.com
. Game 1 proved it: Indiana committed 19 first-half turnovers, but after cleaning up, they won the game . Avoiding careless passes and quick-trigger shots will be essential.
3. Heat Up From Deep
The Pacers are red-hot from three—leading playoffs at 40.1%
sfchronicle.com
+15
africa.espn.com
+15
forbes.com
+15
. OKC’s strategy: clog the paint and force outside shots . But their weakness lies in guarding the perimeter; they allow high volume from deep . If Indiana’s shooters—like Siakam, Nesmith, Nembhard—stay hot, they can punish OKC’s packed paint defense.
4. Mix Ball Movement with Isolation 🎯
SportsCaster’s breakdown of Game 1 reveals the Pacers shifted from a pass-heavy style to more isolation plays in the second half, reducing turnovers and regaining control
forbes.com
+8
lwosports.com
+8
africa.espn.com
+8
. Coach Carlisle will need to balance their beautiful ball movement with calculated isolation sets—especially to exploit mismatches or free Haliburton from pressure.
5. Emphasize Siakam’s Role—Draymond’s X-Factor
Golden State veteran Draymond Green specifically pointed to Pascal Siakam as Indiana’s key weapon
talksport.com
+1
wsj.com
+1
africa.espn.com
+5
as.com
+5
talksport.com
+5
. Siakam, the Eastern Conference Finals MVP, offers consistent scoring and can collapse the defense, creating opportunities. More Siakam-driven plays—pick-and-pop, elbow catches, post drives—can unclog the contested paint and loosen up shooters.
6. Close Out the Close Games
OKC tends to win big or lose close—Pacers are 7‑1 in clutch playoff games
africa.espn.com
. To capitalize, Indiana must maintain composure in tight stretches, execute cleanly, and utilize fans’ adrenaline.
✅ Game 7 Blueprint Recap
Key Area Pacers’ Focus
Turnovers Protect the ball; force transition points
Transition Play Push pace relentlessly
3‑Point Shooting Stay hot from deep; punish OKC’s spacing
Siakam Involvement Run more plays through him
Isolation Situations Blend in spot-scoring to mitigate defense
Late-Game Execution Trust clutch experience, make smart plays
Bottom Line
To pull off a stunning Game 7 upset on the road, the Pacers will need to:
Win the turnover war
Exploit OKC’s transition defense
Stay red-hot from downtown
Feature Pascal Siakam
Blend ball movement with smart isolation
Execute under pressure
That combination, informed by Draymond Green’s analysis and Pacers’ proven resilience, gives Indiana a real shot at their first NBA title in franchise history.
Key Future Readings on Finals Game 7
sbnation.com
NBA Finals Game 7 predictions for Thunder vs. Pacers winner-take-all showdown
Today
apnews.com
For Pacers and Thunder, there’s no looking back now. All eyes are only on Game 7 in the NBA Finals
Today
theguardian.com
Ruthless Pacers throttle Thunder to push NBA finals to decisive Game 7
Yesterday
Sources
Post Comment