If the pressure of the NBA Finals is getting to the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder ahead of Game 3 then neither of them are showing it as both sides appear very relaxed ahead of Wednesday, June 11’s clash.
The Pacers took Game 1 with a buzzer-beater from Tyrese Haliburton to seal a late comeback in a 111-110 victory on June 6, before Shai Gilgeous-Alexander struck back in Game 2 by posting 34 points in a 123-107 blowout on June 9.
Now with the last series of the 2024/25 NBA season levelled, it’s all to play for as both teams chase their first titles since the 1970s and both are gearing up their preparations for the next time they meet on court.
However, both sides are sending very calm energies ahead of the go-ahead game in the NBA Finals with footage of their training camps showing their players enjoying time on the court and fooling around.
The Pacers began their session with some simple shooting drills involving players driving towards the basket and getting their shots off, before all of the stars gathered around in a team huddle for some instructions.
Then in a moment proving Indiana fans have nothing to fear on the team chemistry and morale front, the squad were seen hi-fiving each other as their practice got underway, showing their bond remains tight.
However, Haliburton did begin to feel the heat after missing a shot as he apologized to those around him and appeared to tell himself off, apparently frustrated at failing to convert the open three-point effort – a lack of motion in his walk conveying his high standards.
There was lots of chatter from the Pacers, looking for a first championship since 1973, further proving team communication isn’t going to be a problem on June 11, with Pascal Siakam working on link-up play close to the three-point line.
Myles Turner and Obi Toppin were also spotted working on their movements as they aim to step up their performances following that Game 2 loss on Monday night with Rick Carlisle watching on with a steely look on his face.
Thunder focused ahead of Game 3
The immediate thing to notice about Oklahoma‘s practice? The loud music dominating the arena as the players locked in to continue building on their momentum in the NBA Finals ahead of Game 3.
It set a very relaxed and chilled out mood in the early mess-around time before practice properly got underway, with Alex Caruso even chesting the ball and doing some kick-ups, borrowing from soccer rather than basketball.
But it didn’t take them long to get down to business as Isaiah Joe was seen testing out creating some space for a jump shot shortly after receiving the ball, although you couldn’t tell how content he was with the effort from his reaction as he quickly reset to go again.
Players could be spotted working on their forms whilst others chatted on the bench chairs, no doubt discussing tactics and ways to break down the Pacers went they meet on the court once again.
Isaiah Hartenstein, the team’s center, was then seen working on getting shots off under forward-facing pressure – making sure he figures out exactly what kind of range he needs to sink baskets.
However, fans might not be too happy to find out Gilgeous-Alexander was sad on a sideboard listening to music whilst cradling a basketball, the star of the team seeming happy to just watch on.
Although, considering he has averaged 32.7 points, 6.4 assists and five rebounds per game this season and is in the NBA MVP conversations, very few people can question his preparation methods. He was then later seen fulfilling media duties for the team.
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