The Indiana Pacers head into Game 2 of the NBA Finals riding high after a thrilling Game 1 upset, where Tyrese Haliburton’s clutch three-pointer sealed a 111–110 victory and instantly shifted the dynamic of the series. This victory not only broke Oklahoma City’s 8-game postseason home winning streak but also signaled that Indiana’s high-octane offense and fearlessness in hostile environments is not to be underestimated. The Pacers have thrived on the road all postseason, posting a 6–2 record away from Gainbridge Fieldhouse while shooting an NBA-best 40.1% from beyond the arc in the playoffs, and they have covered the spread in the majority of those matchups. Indiana’s identity under Rick Carlisle is rooted in pace, spacing, and selfless ball movement, averaging over 28 assists per game and consistently generating quality shots through drive-and-kick action and deep pick-and-rolls. Haliburton continues to blossom into a superstar, not just with his playmaking but also as a timely scorer who can break down elite defenders and deliver in clutch moments. Around him, Pascal Siakam provides steady veteran scoring and rebounding on the interior, and the floor is well-spread with consistent threats like Aaron Nesmith, Myles Turner, and T.J. McConnell, all of whom are capable of stepping up in spurts. What makes this Pacers group dangerous isn’t just their talent but their composure—they rarely panic under pressure, often executing best in late-game situations, as seen in their fourth-quarter rally in Game 1.

However, the challenge ahead is formidable: the Thunder are a deep, well-coached team that will certainly make defensive adjustments, particularly in trapping Haliburton and contesting perimeter shooters more aggressively. Indiana will need to stay crisp with their ball movement, avoid live-ball turnovers that fuel OKC’s transition game, and keep foul trouble from limiting their smaller bench rotation. The Pacers must also find ways to compete on the boards and avoid giving up second-chance points, a key area where the Thunder could exploit their lack of size. Defensively, Indiana has been using a mix of man and zone looks to disrupt rhythm and force late-clock decisions—strategies they’ll likely lean into again while targeting the Thunder’s weaker shooters in switches. While the oddsmakers have Indiana as a double-digit underdog again, this team has been outpacing expectations all postseason and now has the psychological edge of having already stolen one on the road. If the Pacers can continue to shoot the ball efficiently, limit transition opportunities for Oklahoma City, and get another star-level outing from Haliburton while getting key contributions from Siakam, Turner, and their bench, they have a legitimate shot at returning to Indiana with a 2–0 series lead. No longer just happy to be in the Finals, the Pacers have proven they can win under the brightest lights—and Sunday’s Game 2 offers another opportunity for this tight-knit, confident group to show they belong among the league’s elite.