The NBA Finals reached Game 6 with the series 3-2 in favor of the Thunder. This Thursday, June 19th, the Gainbridge Fieldhouse will host the last game in Indianapolis, where the Oklahoma City Thunder could finally win their first franchise title in history. Indiana, on the other hand, will play its final home game with the hopes of forcing a Game 7 in Oklahoma City after squandering a 2-1 lead. Here is our BossAction analysis and prediction.
What to Expect: Thunder vs. Pacers Game 6 Analysis
This series has been very tight, and both teams have shown their best version to each other, with the greatest coaching calls and fantasy-like individual plays from their stars. The script hasn’t let down anyone in this NBA Finals. Now, everything reaches its peak with a very decisive Game 6, but now something could change everything: Tyrese Haliburton has suffered a calf strain. In Game 5, the Indiana guard spent time in the locker room during the middle of the game, returning to play in short bursts, showing some discomfort, even limping. This may force coach Carlisle to adapt in a different way in the most crucial match of the entire season.
OKC Thunder’s Road to Game 6: Playoff Scores & Strengths
Game 5 was the dream game for the Thunder, with a solid victory, 120-109, and featuring Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who combined for an explosive 103 points out of the 120 total. Williams (2022 first-round pick) registered 40 points and SAG 31 with 10 assists. This is the most combined points of a duo in the NBA Finals in the last 5 decades. But that doesn’t end there. The Thunder has improved its triple percentage (43.8%) and has generated a considerable number of turnovers in Indiana. The team, coached by Mark Daigneault, has shown maturity in possession, defense, and at the rim.
Pacers’ Game 6 Outlook: Recent Scores & Player Updates
The key player for Indiana has definitely been Tyrese Haliburton. In Game 1, he beat the clock with 0.3 seconds left, and then in Game 3, his 22 points helped the Pacers earn two NBA Finals victories. In Game 5, due to the injury mentioned earlier, he was limited to scoring only 4 points, missing all his field goals. Here is where players like Pascal Siakam and T.J. McConnell were needed to step up, and they did, scoring 28 and 18 points, respectively. However, despite individual efforts, Indiana will need to fix the turnovers (23) because they could become a serious problem if not addressed promptly.
NBA Finals History: Thunder vs. Pacers All-Time Series
As we reported in a previous article, this is the first time both teams have faced each other in the NBA Finals. In Game 1, the Pacers stole the game and the show, winning 111-110. Game 2
tied the series with the Thunder winning 123-107. Games 3 and 4 repeated the script, with the Pacers winning the first one in Indiana, 116-107, and losing the second one, 111-104. Game 5 was taken by OKC 120-109, and now, the series is 3-2, heading to Indianapolis.
Thunder vs. Pacers Game 6: Our Final Score Prediction & Verdict
This is a win-or-go-home game for the Indiana Pacers, and if they do not address their issues immediately, there will be no tomorrow. The Oklahoma City Thunder have the upper hand, thanks to the strong momentum of their key players and Tyrese Haliburton’s injury. We predict a Thunder win in Game 6, 119-110. The Larry O’Brien trophy goes to OKC.
