3 keys for Thunder, Pacers as crucial Game 3 approaches. Plus, your NBA Finals predictions
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On this date in 1993, Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley each scored 42 points in the Bulls' 111-108 Game 2 win over the Suns in the NBA Finals. It was the first time in NBA history opposing players scored 40 in the same game. Since then, Allen Iverson (48) and Shaquille O'Neal (44) did it in Game 1 of the 2001 finals (the Stepover Game), and Khris Middleton (40) and Devin Booker (42) did it in Game 4 of the 2021 finals.
Is any of this interesting or necessary information for you to have? Probably not. But I looked it up, so there you go.
Game 3 winner could win the series … maybe!
Strong take in the subheader, Zach. Thank you. I have thought people were too dismissive of this Pacers team in their NBA Finals matchup with the Thunder. That's not to take away from this Thunder squad, either. Obviously, the Thunder are heavy favorites for a reason. Their historic dominance and run through the Western Conference has given them the right to be significant favorites.
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At the same time, I do think there's a good chance that the Pacers could win Game 3 to continue seeking their first NBA championship. Teams that have won Game 3 after being tied 1-1 are 32-8 in NBA Finals history to win the championship. So, this does look to be a highly pivotal game, historically. With all of that said, the Thunder are so damn dominant and good that I could see them losing Game 3 and then rolling through the next three nights for the championship.
So, what needs to happen for these teams to win tonight? I'm so glad you asked, Zach! What a great question! Here are some three things for the Pacers to win Game 3:
And here are three things for the Thunder to win Game 3:
Knicks aren't getting their guy
🏀 No thanks. The Mavericks don't expect Jason Kidd to leave for the Knicks. He'll be back. The 'No Dunks' crew also discussed the vacancy, which Chris Finch and Ime Udoka also rejected.
🏀 Are you OK? Haliburton is dealing with a lower leg injury. He will likely play Game 3.
🛑 A defensive bag? Lu Dort is one the NBA's best defenders, and his presence is a big reason the Thunder can win a title.
👔 No suits. We haven't seen coaches in anything but quarter-zips for a long time. Are they ever going back?
☀️ New day. New head coach Jordan Ott will bring a fresh approach. The Suns need it.
🎧 Tuning in. Today's 'NBA Daily' examines whether this year's NBA Finals have been boring.
The story of the greatest players in NBA history. In 100 riveting profiles, top basketball writers justify their selections and uncover the history of the NBA in the process.
The story of the greatest players in NBA history.
Should you worry about these two prospects?
If you didn't know by now, Sam Vecenie's phenomenal NBA Draft Guide is out now. You will learn more about these draft prospects than you could even imagine. And while so much deserved focus is on Cooper Flagg, I've been diving into the potential issues or resolutions you might get with the two star Rutgers guys: Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey.
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It might be a little confusing to see that two guys projected to go as high as two and three in the draft were on a team that went 15-17 and missed out on all postseason tournaments. How is that possible? Is it a red flag for either or both players? Should we not assume these guys are worthy of going this high in the draft and how much of a risk are they? I've been wondering this primarily about Bailey.
When he measured at 6-foot-7.5 without shoes at the draft combine, it made a lot of us scratch our heads because he was listed at 6-foot-10 at Rutgers. After talking to some draft experts, scouts, coaches and more, I might be softening my stance questioning Bailey. And while I wasn't out on Harper, I'm less inclined to use this season against them.
They didn't have any help. Former Suns front office executive Amin Elhassan tells a story of the Suns scouting Steph Curry leading up to the 2009 draft. And in trying to evaluate him as a playmaker and point guard, they discovered Andrew Lovedale, a guy who destroyed a lot of Curry's assist opportunities. They started calling blown assists 'Lovedales' during sessions. No offense to him if he's reading, but he just wasn't talented enough to play alongside this future Hall of Famer.
This Rutgers team was full of Lovedales. Maybe the NIL money ran out, but they did not recruit a team that could support these top picks. Both Harper and Bailey need to improve their outside shooting, but we shouldn't be too concerned about their lack of college success. Give them real players to have as teammates, and they'll be a lot better for working toward winning. Basically, just keep them away from the Hornets and they'll be good.
Bouncers submit NBA Finals predictions
We had our trusty audience, The Bouncers, weigh in on the NBA Finals after the 1-1 split in OKC to start things off. Let's check the results!
You can't see it on the chart, but 0.3 percent voters picked the Pacers in five. It doesn't shock me that over three-fourths of the voting population maintain belief in the Thunder. I am a little surprised that going at least six games is expected, mostly because the Thunder are so overwhelmingly favored.
I don't think there was any shock to this one. SGA has 72 points through two games so far. He's been unguardable. Maybe I'm shocked by how overwhelming it is. I thought there would be a little more balanced toward Tyrese Haliburton. My favorite write-in was 'Clay Bennett for stealing the team.'
We also asked the audience whether or not the Game 1 Pacers win ended up changing their perception on how the rest of the series will go.
Then we asked them if the Game 2 bounceback victory by the Thunder made them believe OKC would be fine in the series.
Then we asked everybody who they think will win Game 3 tonight in Indianapolis! That's right. This is a real thorough survey we're doing here.
And finally, we asked everybody about the superimposed trophy and NBA Finals script on the court in Game 2. We gave everybody the option to pick multiple choices at once or write in their own. First, here are the results for the given choices:
And, as per usual, you voters did not disappoint with the write-in options. These were some of my favorites:
'Reminded me of Bulls vs. Blazers on Super Nintendo.'
'The trophy didn't just look horrible. It looked like 2000s clip art.'
'I think they should put Adam Silver's face at half court.'
'That trophy was one of the worst things I've seen on an NBA court and I'm a Sixers fan!'
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'Script was fine. Never show us the MS Paint trophy again.'
And if you've been reading The Bounce for a while, then you know that some reader or readers like to troll these 'other' options by mentioning Thanasis Antetokounmpo, no matter what the context is. So here are some of those mentions:
'The more important question is… what would Thanasis think?'
'No Thanasis Antetokounmpo. 0/10.'
'Alternative suggestions. Superimpose Thanasis' face.'
I am going to find these Thanasis pranksters.
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