You almost had to rub your eyes Wednesday after the Thunder's first quarter. With 17 points at 7/26 shooting, we were very far from the standards of Oklahoma City, among the most prolific and efficient attacks in the league. Certainly, Jalen Williams was not there, but the fault largely lies with the Pacers, barely better in scoring, but impressive defensively. The Indiana franchise continued its momentum from its victory two days earlier against the Magic, obtained largely by limiting Orlando to 97 points. OKC raised the bar to 111 units, but was no less in difficulty by Rick Carlisle's troops.
Tyrese Haliburton and company had a blazing start to the season offensively, but frequently struggled on the other side of the floor, with what remains the 25th defense in the NBA. After the Magic, it was the Thunder who suffered against an Indiana team more concerned when it came to slowing down their opponent.
“SGA” locked
“ Our defense these last four games has been really, really good » welcomed Rick Carlisle at a press conference. “We've stepped up our game, to the point where we have the ability to make things difficult for the opposing team. They missed a few shots that they probably usually make, but our guys worked to make it difficult for them. » With a “Defensive Rating” of 109.4 points conceded over 100 possessions in the last four games, the Pacers have the 7th best defense over the period.
And if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once again reached 30 points, it was at the cost of a sluggish performance, 12/27 shooting, accompanied by 4 lost balls for “only” 5 assists. The Canadian was notably limited to 3/10 in the first quarter, with two blocks suffered and increasingly difficult shots to try to escape the pressure put in particular by Andrew Nembhard.
“ I think you just have to be physical » deciphered the sophomore. “ You have to be a pest, make the task as complicated as possible, and make him take complicated shots. We did a good job of that. »
Pascal Siakam, added value
The changes during the season and the adaptation over the weeks of Pascal Siakam are also not unrelated to this defensive progress. The Cameroonian brings toughness, and his ability to “switch” on smaller players, which was lacking in the Pacers’ racket.
“ Games like tonight are why you put together a trade for a player like Pascal Siakam » explains Rick Carlisle. “ He can create the play, he brings his stature to defense, he can hinder shots near the hoop and he is present on the rebound. »
It is no coincidence that seven of the Pacers' ten games with the fewest points conceded took place in the 25 games since the arrival of the former Toronto player. His presence at the same time frees Myles Turner into a role of last defense near the circle.
The Indiana pivot remains in three games at 4.7 blocks on average, worthy of the performances which made Myles Turner the best blocker in the league in 2019 and 2021. The Pacers will now have to confirm while they only have one victory and a half behind the Knicks, synonymous with Top 4 in the East.
