[Cactus Jack]

If this is a good series with a couple more close games, I'll be more than happy.

Thought OKC was going to go on a big run to end the 1st Half-- they were up 12 with around 2 minutes left and something happened on a Shai three that missed terribly. They had a little run after that where they hit 2 or 3 threes to keep it from getting out of hand. Still thought that it was going to be one of those games where they didn't get over the hump until really late.

Overall, the Pacers turned it over a ton, but they shot really well from 3 and won the glass (they had more defensive rebounds than OKC's total).

Siakam was a problem, but he isn't someone you can draw things up for. Toppin was pretty big, and I'm not sure that he has many games like that left in him, but Haliburton probably has better games scoring the ball ahead.

Shai had a pretty good game, but Holmgren was a no-show. We'll see some line-up changes from OKC, along with better games from their supporting cast.

Think the Thunder come back pretty strong in Game 2 despite a pretty deflating loss. This game might have some elements that made it seem like the Thunder's "best shot" for three and a half quarters, but it actually might have been Indiana's "best shot". Pacers will probably find a way to win another game at home-- they'll go back at least tied and the crowd will be scorching hot. I still think OKC wins the series decisively because I can see them blowing the Pacers out whereas I don't see Indy doing the same to them. Either way, I'm definitely more interested now.