Pacers played like they were content to steal one road game

It's the nature of the NBA playoffs. The visiting team in a series makes their goal to steal one of the first two games on the road, and winning Game 1 while leading for only the final 0.3 seconds in the definition of stealing a game. Going down 0-2 after two home games would be a disaster for the Thunder. For the Pacers, going home 1-1 is still exceeding expectations.

It showed in the statistics. The Thunder got more rebounds, more steals and more fast break points than the Pacers. On the "50/50 balls," loose balls that either team should be able to grab, the Thunder seemed to corral 90% of them. OKC players regularly dove on the floor to secure loose balls and extend possessions. In the fourth quarter, the Pacers played solid defense, but the Thunder's five offensive rebounds negated that defense with so many extra chances.

Indiana cut their turnovers from 24 to 15 after Game 1, upped their assists from 24 to 27 and shot a respectable 45% from the field — and got blown out. The Pacers might be content with getting a split in two games in Oklahoma City, but they can't be happy with getting out-hustled in Game 2.