Oklahoma City’s 111-104 victory in Game 4 of the NBA Finals exposed key struggles for the Indiana Pacers, according to coach Rick Carlisle.
“We got stagnant,” Carlisle said. “Their second shots were a big problem. When you’re unable to rebound, it’s hard to continue to play with pace and tempo.”
Carlisle highlighted how the offense slowed dramatically late in the game, with the Pacers managing only one point in the final three minutes. “The ball was not being advanced quickly enough, we weren’t creating problems, and we were up against the clock a lot,” he added.
Indiana’s assist numbers also collapsed in the fourth quarter after a strong first three quarters. Carlisle noted, “We had 20 assists in the first three quarters but only one in the fourth. A lot of the same stuff I was just talking about.”
Addressing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s late-game performance, Carlisle acknowledged the MVP’s impact down the stretch. “He got to the free throw line some. Fouls were an issue. He’s a great player, that’s the other issue.”
Carlisle praised the team’s collective balance despite the loss. “We’re put together really probably unlike any other team in the NBA in terms of our dependence on one another. Balance is what works for us.”
The coach emphasized the physical nature and intensity of the NBA Finals grind. “It’s the ultimate effort endeavor… This is where we’re going to have to dig in and circle the wagons and come back stronger on Monday.”
Carlisle also pointed to free throws and rebounding as critical factors in the outcome. “They had 38 free throws and made 34 out of 38. We had 33 and made 25. Those differences of four is significant.”
He concluded by stressing the need for mental resilience. “This kind of challenge is going to have extreme highs and extreme lows. This is a low right now, and we’re going to have to bounce back from it.”
Game 5 is set for Monday night at Paycom Center, with the series tied 2-2. Historically, the winner of a tied Game 5 in the Finals goes on to win the championship 73% of the time.
