What's working, not working for the Thunder midway through the Finals

Fast starts: OKC has led by at least six at the end of the first quarter in all three games. It led by double figures at halftime in Games 1 and 2, and trailed by just four at the break in Game 3. 

The Thunder have bottled up Haliburton in the early going, causing him to be a non-factor for much of the first quarter in the three games. Conversely, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and/or Chet Holmgren have come out hot in the three contests.

Indiana is a relentless team, though, ready to run at any moment, and is the definition of a no-quit attitude. Playing with a lead has undoubtedly helped OKC force the high volume of turnovers, but the fast starts have proven not to be enough to shut down the Pacers.

What's not working

Capitalizing on turnovers: Back to the obscene amount of Pacers turnovers. If OKC is forcing 17 per game, one would think it would lead to lopsided scores due to the points off turnovers. That hasn't been the case. 

Indiana turned it over a whopping 25 times in Game 1 and OKC managed just 11 points off of them. 15 turnovers led to 14 points in Game 2 and another 14 turnovers led to 14 points in Game 3. That's just 0.75 points per turnover, which is not good enough in the Finals. OKC has to capitalize on the opportunities.

Fourth quarter collapses: For as hot as the Thunder have started, they've closed equally as badly in the two losses. OKC was outscored by 10 in the fourth quarter of Game 1 and 14 in Game 3. 

SGA went missing in the fourth quarter of Game 3, scoring just three points and only attempting two field goals. He was also too slow getting out to Aaron Nesmith on the big three that put Indiana up eight with 3:04 to play. OKC would never get closer than six after that.

Indiana shot nearly 62 percent in the fourth quarter of Game 3 after shooting 50 percent in the fourth quarter of Game 1. The Thunder's defense has been lauded all season, but disappeared when they needed it most.