RICK CARLISLE IS A COACHING GENIUS!This was one of the best defensive videos I've seen explaining how Indiana's defense has been able to keep SGA under control.JJ Redick should be watching closely how the Pacers are controlling the pace and tempo of the game starting with… https://t.co/tY6mMFDORW pic.twitter.com/Y6PzE1g66Q— LakerTom (@LakerTom) June 13, 2025
I like what Indy is doing but there are some reasons it worked so well in game 3:
1) They haven’t been using it all series, they dropped that in game 3 for most of the game and it worked. I expect OKC to be better about having some guys back screen at mid court or even in the backcourt to get SGA more of a runway and press the defense with a man back caught on the screen.
2) That’s a home strategy with the crowd pumping up your guys and the whistle slightly more favorable. Not a good road game tactic, IMO.
3) Playoffs only and not even in every game. You think SGA was tired? So were some key Pacer defenders and we’ll see how that all plays out tonight. It was one game, and an important one at that and what makes Rick smart wasn’t the scheme as much as when he chose to deploy it. Expect something different tonight.