The first two games of this year’s NBA Finals are in the books. The Indiana Pacers stole Game 1 by way of a go-ahead Tyrese Haliburton jumper in the final seconds, taking their first and only lead of the game with 0.3 remaining. In Game 2 on Sunday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder roared back with a vengeance, sprinting out to an early lead they refused to relinquish like they did in Game 1.
While the first game was far more competitive than the second, both contests featured entertaining, high-level basketball. It’s still early days, though; the opening set of games in any playoff series serves as a feeling-out period for the two sides. They serve as a blueprint for how the rest of the series will play out. What worked in Game 1 and Game 2 informs offensive and defensive strategy for Game 3 and beyond.
