NBA Notes: Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Pacers, Myles Turner, Finals

“As brilliant as Gilgeous-Alexander is offensively, averaging 29.8 points and 6.9 assists per game this postseason, defense drives the Thunder’s dominance,” wrote ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “Oklahoma City had the top-ranked defense during the regular season and tightened the screws even more during the postseason, lowering its defensive efficiency to 104.7 points allowed per 100 possessions.”

But wait, there’s more.

“The Thunder have forced 18.0 turnovers and converted them into 23.8 points per game during the playoffs, both increases over their league-leading regular-season numbers (17.0, 21.8),” MacMahon added.

“Five Oklahoma City players — Alex Caruso, Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace and Luguentz Dort — have averaged more than a steal per game in the playoffs, while Chet Holmgren has averaged 2.0 blocks per game. The Thunder’s defense is a remarkable blend of relentless pressure, swarming help, elite playmaking and togetherness.”

Pacers

Meanwhile, the Pacers have an entire team of guys who can score bushels of baskets in a matter of moments. You know the names: Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner, Aaron Newsmith, Andrew Nembhard, and more.

 “It’s not the flashiest, sexiest team,” Turner said. “We just get results.” 

How good is Indiana at getting those results? ESPN’s Jamal Collier took a deep dive into the answer.

The Pacers have posted the second-best offensive efficiency in the playoffs at 117.7 points per 100 possessions,” Collier wrote. “They have a deep bench and play fast for a full 48 minutes, which has allowed them to pull off three of the most improbable comebacks in playoff history during this run. They were down by seven in the last 40 seconds of Game 5 in the first round against the Bucks.

“They trailed again by seven in the final 50 seconds of Game 2 in the second round against the Cavaliers. And in Game 1 against the Knicks, they were down 14 with 2:51 remaining. Indiana came back to win each game.”

More NBA Finals coverage:

• OKC says Indiana is much like itself
• OKC, Indiana offer Finals we didn’t know we deserved