The News Life

NBA Finals 2025: Thunder Stifle Pacers’ Offense – Siakam Struggles as Series Shifts to Indianapolis.Phuong

by

Thunder’s Defensive Masterclass Exposes Indiana’s Weakness

INDIANAPOLIS – The Oklahoma City Thunder have transformed the 2025 NBA Finals into a defensive clinic, completely neutralizing what was once the most potent offense in the Eastern Conference. After two games, the Indiana Pacers find themselves in unfamiliar territory – struggling to score against a suffocating Thunder defense that has turned the NBA’s brightest young stars into frustrated shot-hunters.

The Numbers Tell a Shocking Story

The statistics paint a stark picture of Indiana’s offensive collapse. The Pacers, who torched through the Eastern Conference playoffs averaging 119.7 points per 100 possessions, have been held to a meager 109.3 points per 100 by Oklahoma City – a scoring rate that would rank them among the league’s worst offenses during the regular season.

Key Performance Drops:

  • Pascal Siakam: From 24.8 PPG (East Finals) to 17.0 PPG (NBA Finals)
  • Field Goal Accuracy: Siakam shooting just 37.5% on drives vs 52.9% in East Finals
  • Paint Penetration: Dramatically reduced interior scoring opportunities
Is Pascal Siakam the Pacers' x-factor? | The Kevin O’Connor Show

Thunder’s Defensive Revolution

Oklahoma City’s defensive coordinator has orchestrated a masterpiece, led by the tenacious Alex Caruso and rising star Jalen Williams. Their strategy centers on three key elements:

  1. Ball Pressure Before Half-Court: Preventing transition opportunities
  2. Paint Protection: Using length and quickness to clog interior passing lanes
  3. Versatile Switching: Eliminating favorable matchups for Indiana’s stars

“It starts with pressuring the ball before it crosses half-court,” explained Thunder center Chet Holmgren. “We’re making it harder to get to the paint in the first place.”

Siakam’s Fall from Grace

The most shocking development has been the neutralization of Pascal Siakam, the Eastern Conference Finals MVP. The versatile forward who dominated Milwaukee, Cleveland, and New York has been rendered nearly invisible by Oklahoma City’s defensive scheme.

Siakam’s Struggles:

  • Missing 12 of 20 attempts inside the arc
  • Only 4 post-up touches through two games (down from 3.8 per game in regular season)
  • Facing constant double-teams and aggressive rotations

“They were super aggressive, which is what they do,” Siakam admitted after a brutal 3-of-11 shooting performance in Game 2. “They are a disruptive kind of team.”

The Caruso Factor

Alex Caruso has emerged as the unlikely hero of Oklahoma City’s defensive surge. The veteran guard’s relentless pressure on Siakam has become the series’ defining matchup.

“He’s one of the few guys on their team that really looks for isolation to score,” Caruso explained. “I’m just trying to make it tough on him.”

The numbers back up Caruso’s impact – Siakam’s efficiency has plummeted whenever matched against the defensive specialist.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) fouls Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) during the first half of Game 1 of the NBA Finals basketball series Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Game 3: Do or Die for Indiana

As the series shifts to Indianapolis for Game 3, the Pacers face a crucial crossroads. Coach Rick Carlisle, praised by Tyrese Haliburton as “a basketball savant,” must find creative solutions to unlock his team’s offense.

Indiana’s Challenges:

  • Creating better post-entry opportunities for Siakam
  • Finding ways to attack Oklahoma City’s switching defense
  • Maintaining offensive rhythm against constant pressure

“You can’t play too careful against Oklahoma City, or otherwise you’ll never get a basket,” Carlisle warned. “You have to be aggressive.”

Thunder’s Strategic Adjustments

Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault made key adjustments in Game 2, deploying bigger lineups and reducing small-ball minutes. The moves paid dividends, with players like Aaron Wiggins and Kenrich Williams providing crucial defensive stops.

“When we’re small, we have to be pressure-oriented and contain the ball,” Daigneault explained his tactical approach.

What’s at Stake

Game 3 represents a potential turning point in this best-of-seven series. If Oklahoma City can maintain their defensive intensity on the road, they’ll seize complete control. However, Indiana’s championship hopes rest on rediscovering the offensive magic that carried them through the Eastern Conference.

The spotlight falls squarely on Pascal Siakam, whose ability to regain his All-Star form could determine whether the Pacers can extend this series or watch their championship dreams slip away in Indianapolis.

Series Status: Thunder lead 2-0 Game 3: Wednesday night in Indianapolis Key Matchup: Alex Caruso vs Pascal Siakam

As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander succinctly put it: “It’s a hard job, but if you want to win, you’ve got to get it done.”

The question now is whether Indiana can rise to meet that challenge before it’s too late.