Pacers' Playoff Surge How Did Indy Go from Offensive Zero to Finals Hero?

NBA Finals Film Study: What Stands Out About the Pacers?

The Indiana Pacers are heading to the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years, and their offensive resurgence is a major reason why. After a regular season where their offense took a slight dip, they've exploded in the playoffs, becoming a force to be reckoned with. But what exactly makes their offense so potent, and how will the Oklahoma City Thunder's formidable defense try to contain them? Let's dive into the film and the numbers to find out.

Offensive Transformation: From Regular Season to Playoff Dominance

During the regular season, the Pacers experienced a decline in offensive efficiency. Their points scored per 100 possessions dropped significantly, a trend surpassed only by the New Orleans Pelicans and Philadelphia 76ers. However, the playoffs have been a completely different story. They're currently scoring **5.0 more points per 100 possessions** than their opponents allowed during the regular season – a testament to their elevated play.

Consider these impressive stats:

• Their **effective field goal percentage of 57.6%** is the second-best mark for a Finals team through the conference finals in playoff history.
• They rank fourth in field goal percentage in the paint (**58.7%**).
• They lead the league in mid-range field goal percentage (**48.7%**).
• And they're also tops in 3-point percentage (**40.1%**).

The Immovable Object Meets the Unstoppable Force: Pacers' Offense vs. Thunder's Defense

The Oklahoma City Thunder present a significant challenge. Their defense has been phenomenal, holding opponents to a staggering **12.8 fewer points per 100 possessions** than they scored in the regular season. They rank second in opponent effective field goal percentage (**49.9%**) and first in opponent turnover rate (**17.7 per 100 possessions**) by a significant margin. This clash between the Pacers' revitalized offense and the Thunder's stifling defense will undoubtedly be the defining battle of the Finals.

Let's break down some key elements of the Pacers' offensive strategy and how the Thunder will look to counteract them.

1. Transition Game: Speed and Precision

The Pacers thrive in transition. They capitalize on turnovers, rebounds, and even made baskets to initiate fast breaks. According to Synergy tracking:

• They rank third in the playoffs in the percentage of their possessions in transition (**18.1%**).
• They are first in points per possession in transition (**1.32**).

Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam are the driving forces behind this fast-paced attack.

• Haliburton leads the league in pass-ahead passes per game, both in the regular season (**9.2**) and the playoffs (**8.9**).
• Siakam has been incredibly efficient, scoring **1.50 points per possession** in transition – the best mark among players with at least 25 transition possessions in the playoffs.

However, the Thunder are well-equipped to slow down the Pacers' transition game. They allow transition opportunities on only **13.6%** of their opponents' possessions, the lowest rate in the playoffs. Their versatility on defense means they can guard multiple positions, minimizing matchup issues. In their two regular-season meetings, the Thunder held the Pacers to just 34 total transition points – well below Indiana's regular-season average.

2. Forcing Turnovers: OKC's Defensive Prowess

The Thunder excel at creating turnovers. They led the league in opponent turnover rate during the regular season and also ranked fifth in the percentage of their opponents' turnovers that were live balls (steals). Their **10.2 steals per 100 possessions** were the most for any team in the last 12 years. That figure has only increased in the playoffs. The Thunder's ability to generate turnovers stems from aggressive ball pressure and a swarm-like mentality, where multiple defenders converge to dislodge the ball from the ball-handler.

While the Pacers are generally careful with the ball, averaging just 2.27 dribbles per touch (the second-lowest rate in the playoffs), their turnover rate will be a crucial factor in determining their success in the Finals. Although they lost both regular-season matchups against the Thunder, the Pacers had their second-lowest turnover rate in those games (**11.7 per 100 possessions**).

3. Ball and Body Movement: The Key to Unlocking the Defense

Even when the Pacers can't score in transition, their offense remains dynamic through constant ball and body movement. They consistently rank among the league leaders in both categories, making them incredibly difficult to defend. They actively target weak defenders to trigger this movement, prioritizing ball and player circulation over one-on-one isolation plays.

Consider these statistics regarding Pacers' ball and player movement in the 2024-25 season:

• Regular season: 398 Passes per 24 minutes of possession (Rank 1), 12.0 Collective miles traveled per 24 minutes of possession (Rank 4)
• Playoffs: 364 Passes per 24 minutes of possession (Rank 2), 11.7 Collective miles traveled per 24 minutes of possession (Rank 1)

While there wasn't a direct correlation between ball movement and scoring efficiency against the Thunder's top-ranked defense in the regular season, the Pacers' willingness to share the ball should be an advantage against an aggressive defense. The Thunder have the third-highest opponent 3-point rate in the playoffs, with a significant portion of those attempts coming from the corners. The Pacers, who have shot an impressive 46.9% on corner 3-pointers in the playoffs, could exploit this vulnerability.

Final Thoughts

The NBA Finals promise an enthralling clash between the Indiana Pacers' electrifying offense and the Oklahoma City Thunder's suffocating defense. The Pacers will need to maximize their transition opportunities, protect the ball against the Thunder's relentless pressure, and maintain their fluid ball and body movement to generate open looks. On the other hand, the Thunder must disrupt the Pacers' rhythm, force turnovers, and limit their effectiveness from beyond the arc. This series represents the ultimate test for both teams, and the team that executes its game plan more effectively will undoubtedly emerge victorious. Get ready for a captivating battle!

Tags: Indiana Pacers, NBA Finals, Pacers offense, Playoffs, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA, Basketball, Field goal, Points scored, 2024-25

Source: https://www.nba.com/news/nba-finals-film-study-what-stands-out-pacers-2025-nba-finals