Indianapolis- Physical and fasting NBA Finals had a defensive approach of pacers in game 3, and is coming more and more until Shai Gilgus-Alexander proves that he and the Thunder can handle it.
“You got it to suck. The season has a maximum of four games left,” Gilgus-Alaczander on Thursday asked Indiana about hands-on defense in Game 3. “This is what you have worked for the whole season. This is what you have worked in all summer. For me, the way I am looking at it, you agreed to suck it and tried to win.”
The game is important for Oklahoma City on Friday, after falling 2–1 in the best NBA final. Indiana appeared as a better air -conditioned team on Wednesday night, closing Game 3 with a finishing kick and riding an adrenaline of a closed house crowd. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle gave additional credit to Andrew Nembhard, Ben Shepard and Aaron Nemith for their collective defensive efforts and played this role in limiting Gilgius-Alexander’s contribution.
“I wouldn’t say that it surprises me,” Thunder forward Chet Holmagren said about Pacers Stamina in Game 3. “I think you can pursue their identity for this series. It is shown in sports till this point. We have to find a way to counter this way and it is no more for our favor
Gilgeous-Aexander made only four free throw attempts in the second half of the game 3 and appeared to wear late in the game. He took only three shots in the last 12 minutes.
Thunder coach Mark Dagnelt said, “We were a little out of character in many ways yesterday.” “I think it happens in a playoff chain. Four games, five games, six games, seven games are a long time. You are going to get many games and experiences in it. We have to correct it very quickly if we want to give ourselves a better chance in Game 4.”
-Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media
