The 2025 NBA Finals have officially gone off-script — and the Indiana Pacers are the story of the postseason. In this episode of Missing the Point, Dave Clarke and Bob Kelly dive into how Indiana now holds a 2-1 series lead over the heavily favored Oklahoma City Thunder.
We break down Tyrese Haliburton’s incredible rise as the unlikely face of the NBA Finals, his clutch game-winners, and whether he’s officially entered the top-10 NBA player conversation. Dave and Bob also examine how Rick Carlisle is coaching circles around the competition — drawing parallels to his 2011 Dallas Mavericks run when he shocked the world against LeBron’s Heat.
Beyond Haliburton, the Pacers' balanced team-first approach is on full display. We spotlight the huge performances from Andrew Nembhard, Myles Turner, Pascal Siakam, Benedict Mathurin, Obi Toppin, and TJ McConnell — and explain how Indiana’s deep bench and unselfish ball movement have become the secret weapon against OKC’s youth and athleticism.
We also analyze the Oklahoma City Thunder’s struggles as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander faces Carlisle’s adjustments, Chet Holmgren gets exposed in the post, and Mark Daigneault tries to keep his young roster composed under Finals pressure. Plus, we debate whether OKC's youth and future assets could ironically work against them in this moment.
Other topics include:
- Can Halliburton surpass Reggie Miller as the most important Pacer ever?
- How Indiana’s basketball culture fuels this underdog run.
- How this NBA Finals compares to historic upsets like the 2011 Mavericks vs Heat.
- Joe Mazzulla's failures in contrast to Carlisle and Daigneault.
- Why the NBA Playoffs 2025 may end with one of the biggest Finals shocks in league history.
If you're a fan of NBA Finals analysis, NBA Playoffs 2025 coverage, Tyrese Haliburton's rise, Indiana Pacers vs OKC Thunder breakdowns, and NBA history, you don’t want to miss this episode.
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